The Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority voted to authorize purchase of a replacement pickup to retire a 1996 Toyota 4Runner, after staff described a formal procurement that began in October and produced limited responsive bids.

Staff told the board that six vendors were solicited, two responded and only one bid met the authority
nd vehicle specifications. Mid City Toyota submitted the sole bid meeting the hybrid specification (roughly $52,000 listed in staff materials), while other responses did not meet the requested spec. The authority noted a 2026 budget allocation of $75,000 for a vehicle and necessary upgrades.

Commissioners questioned the bid specifications, compared hybrid and gasoline models, and discussed equipment differences. One commissioner recommended stock number 32907A from Mid City because it included more equipment and, based on the packet, cost roughly $40,999 and had about 12,943 miles, potentially saving about $11,000 compared with alternatives.

Staff said choosing a hybrid supports the authority
nd state fleet direction for lower emissions and long-term operational efficiency. "We weren't willing to go full EV," S1 said, "so a hybrid seemed like a good compromise." Board members also cautioned that turbocharged gasoline engines may incur higher service costs.

A motion to buy the pickup from the lowest responsive, properly specified bidder was made and seconded; the board recorded affirmative votes and authorized the purchase based on the discussion of stock numbers and specs.

The board did not specify additional procurement conditions during the meeting; staff will proceed with the purchase process in line with the authority's budget and procurement rules.