Cairo council approves five-year, $682,678 lease‑purchase for 11 city vehicles in 3–2 vote

The Cairo City Council voted 3–2 to approve a five‑year lease‑purchase and fleet‑management plan with Enterprise Fleet Management that would replace 11 city vehicles at a total price of $682,678.35 and an average annual cost of $136,535.67.

City Manager Gainer recommended the Enterprise option, saying it bundles acquisition, maintenance and resale and would address a long‑running maintenance problem. “My recommendation will be Enterprise,” Gainer told the council, presenting data that the city spent about $424,000 on maintenance over the last three years and has roughly 32 vehicles that are 10 years or older, 16 of them about 20 years old.

Local dealers, including Bob Hobson of Hobson Chevrolet, urged the council to solicit local bids and include hometown dealers in leasing or purchase opportunities. “We support the schools and the clubs…we'd just appreciate more consideration in the future, to let us know what you need in order for us to help get you the information and give us an opportunity,” Hobson said during the public‑comment period.

Councilmembers debated timing and budget authority. Some members said the $682,678.35 package exceeded the current fiscal year vehicle budget of $300,000 and argued the decision should wait until the regular budget process. Others said a shortfall of safe, operable vehicles—some with malfunctioning airbags and engines that must be cranked in neutral—made swift action necessary.

Councilwoman Hicken made the motion to accept the Enterprise proposal with direction that staff check local dealers first and not exceed the approved total; the motion was seconded and passed 3–2. According to the roll call recorded by the clerk, Councilwoman Hicken and Councilman Burton voted in favor; Councilmen Reynard and Douglas voted no. The motion was recorded as carrying with three ayes and two nays.

City staff said Enterprise indicated it can purchase vehicles through a local dealership if the council prefers and that maintenance would be covered under the proposed contract; staff also warned that a dedicated management fee (example cited by staff: roughly $800 per vehicle) could apply if Enterprise must use nonlocal dealers or add management services. Gainer said the city could set a not‑to‑exceed total so local sourcing could be pursued without exceeding the budgeted authorization.

The council directed staff to return any firm local proposals that meet the city’s make/model/specification requirements and to provide detailed cost comparisons before executing a final contract. The new vehicles would be the initial 11‑vehicle purchase; staff said ongoing vehicle replacement and maintenance costs will be addressed in future budgets.

Next steps: staff will solicit and report back on local dealer pricing that meets the city’s specifications, and the fleet‑management contract will proceed under the council’s not‑to‑exceed direction unless a lower priced local option is identified.