The Town of Lake Cowichan has voted to buy two new pick-up trucks to be used in the public works department.
The trucks will be bought from Peter Baljet’s dealership out of Duncan at a cost of $45,140.30 with taxes.
The town did seek quotes from other dealerships, with Baljet’s coming back as the cheapest and guaranteeing “immediate delivery.”
“There is a value to it (the purchase of the trucks),” said Mayor Ross Forrest at a special council meeting last Tuesday. “We’ve already budgeted for it and this money will come out of the reserve funds.”
Baljet’s price was $40,308 before taxes and the other quote the town received came from Flagship Ford at a cost of $43,598 before taxes and a nine to 12 week delivery time.
Coun. Jayne Ingram asked the council table if the new trucks were “green” vehicles and if they had “eco-boost” engines.
“They do have 2014 engines on them and I believe they are (eco-boost),” said superintendent Nagi Rizk. “Eco-boost is actually Ford but I believe these GM ones are just called something different.”
On the same night, council voted to spend another $134,793.68 on 1500 carts and 1550 kitchen catchers and spare parts for organic curb side collection, which again had been budgeted for.
“We did budget for the toters so that we could proceed with organic pick up next year,” said chief administrator Joe Fernandez.
It was confirmed that the money for the toters will come out of the gas tax fund.
According to town staff as well, the negotiation process to achieve a state of agreement and compliance was not easy-going.
Fernandez also confirmed that both of the above quotes that were accepted took a “fair bit of negotiations with the respective suppliers.”
