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A sweeping review of Edmonton’s buying and building processes says city officials have rushed major projects to tender and can’t prove the system is getting good value for money.

That sobering critique from city auditor David Wiun was presented to councillors Monday.

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For example, city officials went to tender on a $142-million construction project, then changed the drawings and specifications seven times during the bidding process, said Wiun.

That prompted 600 questions back from confused contractors, resulting in changes to the city’s instructions to those teams three times, and extensions to the bid deadline five times.

That was on the second try. The first attempt was so error-ridden, it had to be cancelled, Wiun said, offering this unidentified example as just one project where it was obvious city officials were rushing the process.

“It’s not good,” Coun. Michael Oshry said after the meeting. “(City officials) have been doing this for years — big dollars, lots of projects. You would think they would have that system relatively down pat already.”