McMinnville officials rejected a measure Tuesday night to purchase a higher priced vehicle from a local dealer, opting instead for the lowest bid from an out-of-town dealer. Vice Mayor Ben Newman says going with the higher bid would have opened the city to a lawsuit.“Based on our legal counsel’s opinion and my own research into the law, I don’t think this is a good idea,” said Newman, who is a licensed attorney. “We don’t need to invite lawsuits and I think that is what this would do.”Under consideration was a recommendation from the Safety Committee to purchase a 2013 Ford Police Interceptor for $22,644 from Kidd Ford rather than the lowest bid from Chevrolet of Murfreesboro for a 2013 Chevrolet Impala Police Cruiser in the amount of $20,598.City attorney Tim Pirtle instructed Safety Committee members two weeks ago they are required by law to accept the lowest bid.