The Sydney City Council on Dec. 2 voted to reverse earlier approvals for two used vehicles after interim City Manager Josh Hanson disclosed the city had not followed its competitive bidding policy for purchases $30,000 or greater.

Hanson said the purchases—previously approved at the Nov. 13 meeting for a Dodge pickup (patrol) and a Dodge van (code enforcement)—should have followed the city’s competitive sealed‑bid process (city policy for purchases $30,000+), a requirement he said is supported in the transcript by reference to Nebraska state statute (“23 3 1 1 1,” as read in the meeting). He described the omission as his oversight and said sealed bids were advertised in the Sun‑Telegraph during the weeks of Nov. 17 and Nov. 24; sealed bids are due to the city by noon on Dec. 5 and will be opened then, with results to be returned to council on Dec. 9.

Council moved and approved reversing the earlier purchase motions to allow the sealed‑bid process to proceed; roll call recorded multiple yes votes. The manager said he would take ownership of the error and proceed with the formal procurement process.

The reversal preserves the possibility of buying the same units if the sealed bids are favorable but ensures the city follows formal procedures and state law before final award.