The City Council on Dec. 23 approved the purchase of a 3/4-ton Chevy Silverado for the water department, authorizing the use of $50,000 appropriated in the 2025'026 budget and held in the department's equipment reserve.

Joe Talish, city of Sydney water superintendent, told the council the purchase is intended to replace a 2008 Ford F-150 with about 135,000 miles. "The water department would like the council's approval to move forward with the purchase of a capital expense for $50,000 which [is] appropriated in the 2025'026 budget," Talish said. He added the department intends to buy from Greg Young Automotive of Omaha, which "won the state bid." Talish said staff checked local dealerships but they could not meet the specifications.

Council members pressed Talish on the timing and bid validity; Talish said the request began about four to five months earlier and staff recently requested updated paperwork to confirm that prices had not changed. After discussion, a council member moved to approve the purchase and another seconded the motion; multiple members voted in favor and the chair acknowledged the approval.

In other business, the council moved and voted to approve the minutes from the Dec. 9, 2025 meeting and voted to excuse Councilmember Burke Radcliffe from the evening's meeting. The council then voted to go into closed session to discuss the interim city manager and deputy clerk positions. Josh Hanson, interim city manager, also used his report time to thank Fire Chief Butts and Police Chief Lobato for a joint active-shooter training exercise involving EMS, fire and police and offered holiday wishes to the community.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Excuse Burke Radcliffe from the Dec. 23 meeting. Outcome: approved (roll-call affirmative responses recorded during the meeting). Motion moved by an attending council member and seconded; roll-call yesses were recorded.
- Motion: Approve council minutes, Dec. 9, 2025. Outcome: approved (motion moved and seconded; multiple members recorded "yes").
- Motion: Purchase 3/4-ton Chevy Silverado for the water department, $50,000 from equipment reserve (2025'026 budget). Outcome: approved (moved and seconded; multiple members voted "yes").
- Motion: Go into closed session to discuss interim city manager and deputy clerk positions. Outcome: approved (motion moved and seconded; roll-call affirmed by members).

What happens next
The approved vehicle purchase will be processed with the vendor identified through the state bid process and paid from the water department's equipment reserve; the council directed staff to complete required procurement paperwork. The council entered closed session to address personnel matters; no further public actions were recorded after the closed-session motion during the public portion of the meeting.