Lake City council approves public-works auction, tables GovDeals listing for vehicles

Lake City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution to auction surplus equipment owned by the city’s Public Works Department but voted to table a separate resolution that would have placed excess vehicles on the online marketplace GovDeals.

The council approved Resolution 2025.008 for final reading, authorizing the city to conduct an auction of various items and equipment no longer used by the Public Works Department. A later resolution, 2025.009, which would have authorized listing excess vehicles on GovDeals, was moved to be tabled for further discussion and possible amendment to allow a community-only auction option.

During public comment, residents asked whether the city could prioritize a local, in-person auction even if items were also listed online. LaRue Alford asked for clarification on whether items would be sold via a public in-person auction or exclusively on GovDeals. Mike Curtis urged the council to give local taxpayers an opportunity to purchase the items.

City staff and councilors discussed the logistics. Public-works staff member Ricky (first name only in the record) said offering a local auction in addition to an online listing was “a possibility.” Chief Miles, speaking about the vehicles included in the listings, said several marked and unmarked police vehicles were on the list and described their condition, saying some vehicles were not operational and a few ‘‘don’t even have an engine.’’ He said the department listed vehicles that had exceeded mechanical limits to recover value toward replacements.

A council member moved to table Resolution 2025.009 until the council had more discussion about whether to pursue an online sale, a community auction, or a hybrid approach; that motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. The earlier Resolution 2025.008 (Public Works auction) was adopted on final reading by voice vote.

The discussion left open whether the council will return with an amendment to limit sales to Lake City residents or to schedule an in-person auction for items that do not sell online. City staff noted that listings on GovDeals include full vehicle information (VIN, mileage, year) and that anyone may bid online, which staff said may reach more buyers and possibly increase proceeds.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025.008 — approved (final reading); Resolution 2025.009 — tabled for further discussion.