Torrington council approves $77,636 purchase of one‑ton work truck

The Torrington City Council voted 4‑1 on Sept. 2 to award a $77,636.80 contract to Transwest Ford of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, for a new one‑ton extended‑cab work truck with a utility box.

City water and wastewater supervisor Tom Troxell told the council the vehicle is already on the dealer’s lot and “ready to go to work,” and that of the three lowest bids it was the only offer that met the 90‑day delivery requirement included in the bid specifications.

The requirement for a 90‑day delivery window was added after deliveries during the COVID‑era frequently took many months, Troxell said. He told council members the truck’s utility box is about a foot longer than the department’s typical specification and that the box did not include power locks — an item crews previously had requested but which staff said had become less necessary now that city vehicles are stored inside. Troxell said minor items such as wiring for the beacon and installation of radios would be completed by city staff or at the city shop.

Councilman Greg Diehl moved to approve the staff recommendation “in the interest of efficiency,” and Councilman Shane Victorin seconded. After brief discussion about budget coverage, the council approved the award by a 4‑1 vote.

Troxell told the council the purchase is slightly above the department’s budgeted line item but said the department expects to cover the overage by saving on other items (including a lower‑cost air compressor) and, if necessary, by auctioning surplus pickups. He described the vehicle as one of three similar units the dealer had available and said the dealer would spray the box with a protective liner and complete a few final shop installations before delivery.

The council’s action awards the contract; Troxell and staff will oversee the final installations and acceptance for the water/wastewater department. No additional formal conditions or amendments to the award were recorded in the meeting minutes.