What is JCI protecting $$$$$$$$ 92 million!

Dr. Dixon has said repeatedly that all Johnson Controls will make on the Red Plan is 2 percent. This is either a lie or an example of gross incompetence on his part. Here’s what the District’s March 16th Two-Page DNT ad said about it:

“For assessing the district’s needs and overseeing public discussions over an 18-month period, Johnson Controls received a lump sum of $250,000. For program managment over a 5-year period, according to its contract with the district, the company will receive 2 percent of the project’s construction costs. Other fees for design and engineering will flow throu Johnson Controls to other design firms and professional services providers.”

This is a little more subtle but Dixon has repeatedly used the 2% ceiling.

But Let Duluth Vote has an experienced Contract manager who has looked at the JCI contract (which was gotten only after filing a Minnesota Data Privacy Request” for this very public information. Here’s his analysis:

He adds up income totaling $92 million dollars. That’s more than a third of the cost of the Red Plan. That’s a considerable improvement on Dr. Dixon’s laughable 2% claim.

Don’t expect to read this in the Duluth News Tribune. When Robert Aho first told them that the contract JCI offered him was a menace to the public good they decided it wasn’t worth a story. Then again the District has set aside $150,000 (three teacher’s worth) to advertise much of it going to the Trib. Why spoil a good thing when you can get a piece of the action as the District wrestles with its growing budget shortfall?

About the author

Harry is a ferociously good natured eccentric in Duluth Minnesota who detests traitors dressed up as Uncle Sam. You can find somewhat better edited writings of his at the Duluth Reader "contributors." page. The URL is:

https://duluthreader.com/contributors/h/84/284-harry-welty