The New Richmond City Council approved a set of equipment purchases and solicitations across departments.

Utility and public-works items: the council accepted the low bid of $44,009.87 for a half-ton Ram pickup for the electric department and approved staff recommendation to proceed with a three-phase transformer purchase from Resco at up to $55,232 (2,000 kVA) with contingent approval to proceed at a smaller 1,500 kVA size at approximately $47,597 if final analysis shows smaller sizing is sufficient. Council also authorized staff to solicit bids for an ash tree removal program in 2026 as part of the EAB removal plan; staff reported prior-year removals and estimated approximately 360 ash trees remain to be removed over the next five years with funding via a new forestry fee.

Public safety fleet: council approved purchase of two hybrid Ford police utility vehicles with trade-in allowance and upfit costs (approximately $20,000 per unit to outfit with lights, computers, PBT and other equipment) and added extended-warranty considerations; staff said hybrid technology has improved and nearby agencies reported fuel savings. Roll-call votes recorded some abstentions as noted in the record.

Next steps: vendor contracts and purchase orders will be executed pending final sizing or procurement checks; public-works and utilities will schedule bid solicitations and report back.