Green River Council Approves RFPs, Adopts Anti-Displacement Plan and OKs Equipment Purchases

During its April 8 regular meeting, the Green River City Council approved multiple procurement actions, adopted a residential anti-displacement plan required for certain grants, authorized specific equipment purchases for the fire department and airport, set budget workshop dates and adjourned to a closed session on pending litigation.

Key votes at a glance

- Accounting services RFP: The council approved issuing a request for proposals for accounting services consultant to replace the city’s auditor relationship. A motion to approve the RFP passed unanimously on a roll-call vote.

- Audit services RFP: The council approved issuing an RFP for audit services (third‑party audit) to secure a new external auditor; the motion passed unanimously on roll call.

- Residential anti-displacement plan: Council moved to adopt a consolidated residential anti-displacement plan intended to satisfy reporting requirements for several grants. The motion passed with one nay.

- Fire department extrication tool purchase: Council approved purchase of a donated set of extrication tools (new Amicus-brand spreader and cutter) after the department secured a $30,000 donation; the city’s share to complete the purchase was reported in the meeting materials as $108.78. Fire Chief Ben disclosed his role as department chief before voting; the purchase passed unanimously.

- Airport fuel dispenser system: Council approved purchase of a replacement fuel dispenser system for the municipal airport, noting the dispenser (not the tank) had been out of service for months and that the city planned to set future fuel pricing to recover operating costs. The motion passed unanimously.

- Consent agenda and minutes: The consent agenda (financial report for January 2025; payment approvals for April 2025; treasury report for March 2025; and council minutes for March 11, 2025) passed with one abstention due to absence from earlier months.

- Closed session: The council voted to adjourn into a closed session pursuant to Utah law to discuss pending litigation (cited in the meeting as Utah Code §52‑4‑205(1)(c)). The closed session was approved by the council and the public portion of the meeting ended.

What the council discussed about each action

Accountant and auditor RFPs: Council members discussed timelines and procurement schedule for the RFPs; the calendar presented would release the RFPs in late April with proposals due in May and a proposed award in mid‑June. Councilmembers stressed the need for clear scope language and recommended the city’s motion language specify “audit services for the City of Green River” rather than a generic “auditor.”

Residential anti-displacement plan: City staff explained the consolidated plan was intended to standardize several small anti-displacement provisions required by grant funders. The plan will be used for reporting on grants such as “thriving communities” and similar programs; council discussion included the plan’s role in grant compliance. The council adopted the plan; the motion carried with one nay.

Extrication tool purchase: Chief Ben (identified in the meeting as the fire chief) and fire department officers described maintenance issues with the department’s current Hurst-brand tools, proprietary battery costs and pin failures. The department accepted a $30,000 donation toward replacement and requested council authorization to purchase Amcus-brand tools that use standard 60‑volt DeWalt batteries to align with the department’s existing battery inventory. Council approved the purchase and the minutes record Chief Ben’s disclosure of his role before he voted.

Airport fuel dispenser system: Staff clarified the purchase covered the pump/dispenser system — the dispenser register/pump — which had been out of service, not the storage tank. Council and staff discussed maintaining lower fuel pricing historically to generate airport traffic (use) when applying for grants, and the council directed staff to review fuel-pricing margins so user fees help offset future maintenance costs.

Budget workshops and other business: The council set tentative budget workshop dates ahead of the May tentative budget presentation (workshop on April 29; follow-up in May was discussed and tentatively scheduled for May 21). Councilmembers also raised community concerns such as canal maintenance and weeds, sewer and water infrastructure projects, and EMS staffing and pay at the county level.

Ending

The council took no additional binding action during the public session after the votes listed above. It moved into a closed session to consider pending litigation under Utah law; no actions from the closed session were reported at the meeting’s public adjournment.