Harford County Government's treasury department will soon have a new company to lead project management and application development support services for its TaxNet program for tax receivables.

At their meeting Thursday, members of the Board of Estimates awarded a $164,399.10 contract to Logical Consulting Group Inc., of Towson, to take over the project, which was developed by another vendor to be completed in March 2011.

The county decided to terminate that contract and bring on a new vendor — Logical Consulting — because the department still has issues with the program, such as the homeowner tax credit function not performing and the billing and lack of development of the collections function of the program.

The project needs to be completed by May 1, and then the company will help the department test it "from start to finish," Deborah Henderson, director of procurement for the county, said.

The application must be completed and functional by June 30.

Board of estimates member Warren Hamilton asked if there was any recourse being taken against the original vendor.

Henderson said she has been talking to the company's president and vice president. She added there hasn't been "much time" to put out bids for the program and investigate other companies. Baltimore County has used the company for other project and has had no complaints, she continued.

"This is a very serious issue for my office," Treasurer Kathryn Hewitt said.

New trucks

Pickup trucks, 12 in all, will be purchased to replace older models.

In a split bid, Hertrich Fleet Services Inc., of Milford, Del., was awarded $153,275 for five one-ton Ford F350 pickup trucks, and $198,811 for seven ¾ ton Ford F250 pickup trucks.

The board awarded a contract for $189,952 for a new six-wheel, regenerative air 8-cubic yard street sweeper, which will replace the county's current sweeper. The contract went to Maryland Industrial Truck Inc., of Linthicum.

The current sweeper needs $16,500 worth of repairs.

Hamilton asked Warren Patrick, fleet manager for the department of procurement, how often street sweepers are used in the county.

Patrick said they are in such need that the department is looking into getting a rental while the new one is being built.

A contract with W.W. Grainger Inc. was renewed for one additional year, not to exceed $200,000, for building maintenance, repair and operating supplies, which the county receives at a discounted rate.

Last year, $164,000 was spent, Henderson said.

A contract for $21,865 was also awarded to Visual Sound, of Baltimore, for audio-visual equipment and installation services for the county council.

A change order for $44,720 was added to a contract with General Sales Administration, Major Police Supply, of Kenvil, N.J., bringing the total to $95,030. The original award was for $50,310.

The funds will be used to buy an additional 104 consoles for sheriff's office vehicles, which will use existing equipment in the vehicle.

The other consoles, Capt. Dan Galbraith with the Harford County Sheriff's Office said, can obstruct the view of the driver. The new ones, however, fit overtop the passenger and driver without obstructing their view.