City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: February 3, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Lilia Hernandez, Assistant to the City Administrator Subject
Report on Contract Award to Avenu Insights & Analytics, LLC Approved by the City Administrator Recommendation
Receive and file the report on the contract award to Avenu Insights & Analytics, LLC (formerly MuniServices, LLC) for Utility User Tax auditing services, without a competitive selection process, for a total not-to-exceed $55,698.14, as approved by the City Administrator pursuant to Sections 3.32.110(B)(2) and 3.32.110(B)(3) of the Vernon Municipal Code.
Background
The City requires the services of a firm that can provide Utility Users Tax (UUT) administration, auditing and reporting. The Finance Department obtained quotes from the only two firms that provide the necessary services, Avenu Insights & Analytics (formerly MuniServices, LLC) and HdL Companies (HdL). After evaluating the quotes received, staff determined that Avenu Insights & Analytics (Avenu) was the best fit for the City as they provided a more competitive quote totaling $50,634.68 over three years, and a scope that was right sized for the City’s UUT related needs.
Professional service contracts exceeding $50,000 are subject to the City’s competitive selection purchasing requirements unless there is an applicable exemption. Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.110 (B)(2), contracts may be exempted from competitive selection requirements when it is found that the best interests of the City are served by a direct award without a competitive selection process. The City Administrator has the authority to make such a finding for contracts up to $100,000 as stated in Section 3.32.110(B)(3) of the VMC.
Based on staff’s recommendation and the quotes obtained from the only two potential vendors, on November 25, 2025, the City Administrator found it in the best interest of the City to award a purchase contract to Avenu for a total not-to-exceed amount of $55,698.14 over a three-year term. The not-to-exceed total included $50,634.68 for the contract and a 10% contingency of $5,063.46. A report to City Council regarding the direct award of the contract is provided as required pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.110(B)(3).
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $55,698.14 for the three-year term of the contract. Sufficient funds are available in the General Fund, Finance Department, Professional Services-Technical Account No. 011-010-130-529225 for the current fiscal year and will be budgeted in subsequent years.
Attachments
None.