Council delays mower purchase, directs staff to solicit bids

Pryor Creek — The Pryor Creek City Council on Aug. 19 decided not to approve a proposed $18,042 purchase of a Kubota zero-turn diesel mower and directed staff to solicit competitive bids instead.

The facilities supervisor told council members that the city’s current mower—previously used by the police department—had required frequent repairs and that a diesel unit would offer a longer engine life. Council members pushed back on price and asked whether a gasoline mower (which generally has lower replacement and repair costs) might be a better fit for the city’s mowing needs. One council member said a comparable gas mower could cost roughly half the diesel price and suggested bidding both fuel types.

Staff noted that the amounts cited were state-contract prices and that the city could still pursue competitive bids. Council discussed the scope of the facilities mowing work — soccer fields, athletic fields, the animal shelter, municipal lots and other properties — and asked staff to provide acreage and expected yearly hours to inform specifications.

After discussion, a council member moved for no action on the item and asked staff to issue a request for bids clarifying the acreage to be mowed; the motion passed. Council members also asked that bids be returned to the assistant city clerk’s office and opened publicly at a future council meeting. The council noted sealed bids are required only for purchases at or above the $25,000 threshold.

No purchase was approved at the meeting; staff will solicit bids and return the results for council consideration.