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Finance committee approves $58,869 purchase of outboard motors to keep Waukegan dive boat operational
Summary
The Waukegan Finance and Purchasing Committee voted March 17 to waive bidding and approve buying two outboard motors for the city dive and rescue boat from Bay Marine Chicago for up to $58,869.43 after the fire chief said the current loaner boat could be unusable by May 1.
On March 17, 2025, the City of Waukegan Finance and Purchasing Committee approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing the procurement and installation of two outboard motors for the Waukegan Fire Department dive and rescue boat from Bay Marine Chicago for an amount not to exceed $58,869.43.
The purchase was moved by Alderman Guzman and seconded by Alderman Florian. Fire Chief Pazier told the committee the city’s current dive boat is a 20‑year‑old loaner from the Lake County Sheriff under an intergovernmental agreement and said one motor already failed, leaving the department unable to get out of the harbor last year. “It’s terrible to have to pay $50,000 for a new motor for it knowing that we have one on order, but we still need it in service because we need to protect our town,” Chief Pazier said during committee discussion.
Chief Pazier said lead times for a new custom boat are about two to three years, creating a gap in service if the current boat cannot be used come May 1. He said the only alternative would be a 1992 inflatable with a 55‑horsepower motor, which he described as inadequate for Lake Michigan operations. Committee members discussed the possibility of selling the old boat or engines later and noted Bay Marine is a local vendor, which could make resale or trade‑in more feasible.
Alderman Guzman withdrew an earlier motion to hold the item and the committee voted to approve the purchase. Roll call returned aye votes from Alderman Newsom, Alderman Florian, Alderman Hayes, Alderman Donnerworth and Alderman Guzman; the motion carried.
The resolution authorizes the city to use the approved vendor and make the expenditure; the funding source was not stated on the record. Committee members asked whether Lake County would contribute; Chief Pazier said the sheriff’s office had not indicated it would pay or reimburse the city and that the loaner boat was taken out of storage when the sheriff received a new boat.
The committee moved on after approving the purchase; no additional conditions, reporting requirements or funding breakdowns were recorded in the minutes.
