Shrewsbury council approves $60,776 pickup truck for public works amid budget concerns

The Shrewsbury City Council approved the purchase of a 2025 single-cab 4x4 pickup truck to be used by the public works department, awarding the low bid of $60,776.47 after discussing the city’s capital improvement fund shortfall.

Staff presented three bids for the truck and plow package: Shicker Ford at $60,776.47, Shicker’s Dodge at $63,286.57 and Broadway Ford at $64,000. Speaker 1 recommended accepting the low bid.

Councilors pressed staff on whether the existing 2012 truck could be repaired and kept in service. Speaker 3 raised budget concerns, saying the capital improvement fund was "way deficit now" and that the city faced roughly an "$800,000 cash deficit in that fund," asking whether spending another $60,000 this year was prudent. Speaker 1 and others said the 2012 truck had mounting maintenance and electrical issues and that replacement would reduce ongoing maintenance risk; one staff estimate to repair the older truck ranged from about $10,000 to $15,000.

After discussion, Speaker 2 asked for a motion to purchase the truck. A motion was made and seconded; after a brief procedural exchange about outfitting costs and radios, Speaker 2 called the vote and the motion "carries," approving the purchase. The purchase will also require additional funds to outfit the vehicle and install two-way radios; Speaker 1 noted part of the surplus ($9,223.53) would be used toward that cost. The meeting record does not list individual councilors’ recorded votes on this motion.

The council did not record an alternative or amendment; staff said they would check with the emergency communications board about spare radios and potential cost savings.

The council then moved on to financial updates.