The Vermillion City Council voted Nov. 3 to accept state contract bids for three replacement city vehicles following a discussion about local dealer matching and equipment-fund shortfalls.

City staff (Jose) presented three vehicle purchases listed in the 2026 equipment replacement fund: the city manager's travel vehicle (a new Chevy Equinox), a Light & Power 4x4 Chevy Silverado, and a Solid Waste 4x4 Chevy Silverado crew cab. Staff provided the state bid and a local dealer quote from Jerry's Chevrolet/GMC for each vehicle and noted the equipment replacement fund would be short approximately $24,508 when comparing budgeted amounts to bids for two of the vehicles.

Staff said purchasing all three vehicles from the local vendor would cost the city an additional $3,931 compared with the state bids. Councilors debated awarding purchases based on a local match versus accepting the state contract price to save money. Councilor Schusman said he was "inclined to go with that state bid as well," noting local dealers had matched state bids in the past.

Council approved motions to accept the state bid for the administration vehicle (the Equinox), the Light & Power truck, and the Solid Waste truck in separate votes. Each motion carried by voice vote; specific roll calls were not recorded on the floor for these items beyond the recorded voice approvals.

City staff said the solid waste vehicle purchase is funded through a joint powers arrangement with Yankton and Clay counties and that the equipment replacement fund will be adjusted during the 2026 budget review to cover any shortfall.

The council directed staff to proceed with purchasing the vehicles from the state vendors where applicable and to report back as needed during budget review.