McMinnville officials may have to decide between lowest and best, as well as local and non-local, once again.
Bids for a new lawnmower include a recommendation to accept the higher price from a local dealer over a lower price from one which is not.
The city has received three bids for a new lawnmower: Scag mower from a local dealer at a cost of $9,508, and two from Manchester — John Deere mower for $8,600 and Xmark mower for $8,950.
McMinnville Public Works is recommending the purchase of the Scag mower, a cost increase of $908, for use by its Urban Forestry Division in mowing areas such as ball fields, Court Square, city-owned parks, etc.
“The mower we are replacing is a Scag,” said Public Works director Bill Brock in a note to Streets and Sanitation Committee members. “We use it in some extreme mowing conditions where safety to the operator and public are of concern. Based on prior experience, we have knowledge of what the Scag is capable of.”
Brock urged experience over price.
“Last year we went with price and got a Kubota mower,” Brock said. “We were unable to use this mower in the extreme conditions and can only use it on flat areas for the fear of it sliding off slopes.”
Officials recently argued over lowest and best involving a purchase of a patrol vehicle for McMinnville Police Department. In that situation, the lower bid from an out-of-town dealer was the desire of Mayor Jimmy Haley, Vice Mayor Ben Newman and Aldermen Ken Smith, Jimmy Bonner and Billy Wood. In opposition, Aldermen Rick Barnes and Mike Neal wanted to go with a higher bid from a local dealer.
State law requires municipalities to accept the lowest and best bid. If all bids submitted match the specifications given by the city, the lowest priced item must be accepted. Higher priced items can be purchased if the lower priced item does not meet specifications, making the higher priced item the best bid.
Brock says two of the bids do not meet specifications.
“The John Deere and the Xmark mowers both meet some of the specs, but the Scag meets all of them,” said Brock. “Of importance in these specs are the weight, height, length, and width. The thickness of the deck, chute opening and the drive shaft are important for the longevity, durability, and quality of mowing we require.”
Making the decision will be Streets and Sanitation Committee members Rick Barnes, Billy Wood and Jimmy Bonner on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Their recommendation will be sent to the full board for its consideration.