Committee members and several attendees reviewed changes to prevailing wage survey results and discussed how the shifts may create an opportunity for local contractors to compete for public construction contracts.

A committee participant summarized recent state wage-reporting changes and local effects: "Carpenters went down from $78 to $51," the participant said, and also noted other occupation-specific changes such as drywall taper increases and painter decreases. Committee discussion linked those shifts to how prevailing wage surveys are compiled and reported and to the advantage that local nonunion contractors could gain on bids if union wage surveys for the county fall.

Committee members and staff discussed outreach and technical assistance to local firms. The committee noted Apex Accelerator's small-business counseling as an available resource; the meeting referenced an Apex contact, Justine Wagner, and provided an email (jjwagner@clallam.org) for contractors seeking no-cost counseling. A committee member described past procurement practices that awarded points to bidders that committed to local workforce percentages and to contractors with an established local office. The group discussed using bid scoring rubrics and pre-bid engagement (e.g., design-build or GCCM procurement approaches) to increase opportunities for local firms while remaining compliant with procurement rules.

Public commenters and committee staff proposed simple procedural fixes, such as providing a one-page survey or reminder to contractors at the time of permit issuance so work performed inside city limits is reported accurately for future prevailing wage surveys. One commenter suggested the city could ask permit applicants to "please fill out the survey that affects the prices of building in this community" to improve survey response rates and thereby better reflect local wages.

What the committee did not do at the meeting: it did not adopt a formal procurement policy change or pass an ordinance. The discussion resulted in agreed next steps to coordinate outreach to local contractors, consider presentations for public agencies on procurement practices that favor local participation within legal constraints, and to involve Apex Accelerator staff in contractor assistance.