Ferndale approves purchase of four light-duty trucks, includes two Ford Lightning EVs to meet fleet electrification goals
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Summary
Council authorized up to $225,000 to buy four replacement light-duty trucks from Gorno Ford, including two Ford Lightning electric vehicles that the city said advance its 15% fleet electrification target in the climate action plan; council also discussed surplus sales and fund sources.
The Ferndale City Council approved a purchase Monday to replace four aging light-duty trucks with a package not to exceed $225,000, authorizing the director of public works to proceed with procurement from Gorno Ford.
Public Works Director James Jamieson told council the four trucks are mainline vehicles used daily; several of the outgoing vehicles are 16–19 years old. The replacement package includes two Ford Lightning electric trucks and two conventional Ford F-150 trucks. Jamieson said the city aims to reach a 15% fleet electrification target in its climate action plan and that two positions were designated for EVs on replacement. He also compared projected maintenance and greenhouse-gas differences between the gas and electric models, noting estimated CO2 reductions and preliminary estimates of total cost of ownership, while acknowledging uncertainty because EV data remains comparatively new.
Council members asked whether the city planned to sell surplus vehicles and requested estimates of expected auction proceeds; Jamieson said surplused older trucks could net roughly $15,000–$20,000 each, and agreed to provide a net-cost estimate. A council member also clarified that funding for the four replacements will come from major-streets, local-streets, sanitation, and water-and-sewer funds, not the general fund.
The motion passed on a recorded vote; the council authorized procurement and directed staff to return surplus-sale estimates.
Why this matters: The purchase replaces high-maintenance, high-mileage vehicles and moves the city toward an electrified fleet. Funding from enterprise and dedicated street funds suggests the purchase will not draw on general-tax revenue; surplus sales may partially offset capital costs.