Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board rescinds propane bus purchase, approves less‑expensive diesel bus after rebate loss
Summary
Citing the loss of an $85,000 rebate, the board rescinded a prior authorization to buy a propane 2026 school bus and approved purchase of a 2026 diesel Bluebird bus at a lower listed cost; the board approved the change unanimously.
The Sidney City School Board voted to rescind a prior resolution authorizing the purchase of a 2026 propane Bluebird school bus and approved buying a less‑expensive diesel model after staff said a rebate that would have offset the propane purchase was lost.
Mr. Watkins (Speaker 1) told the board the decision was prompted by the loss of a Clean School rebate of about $85,000. "What has prompted this was the loss of our ... rebate program money, which was $85,000," he said. "So at least for this particular round ... we were gonna just move to diesel at a lesser cost." The resolution to rescind the earlier authorization (which listed the propane bus at $150,003.53) passed on recorded voice votes.
Immediately after, the board approved purchase of a 2026 Bluebird diesel bus from Cardinal Bus Sales & Service at a listed cost of $138,005.22. Board members said buying the diesel bus preserves resources while staff continues to pursue available grant and rebate opportunities for future purchases.
Both motions — the rescission and the new purchase — carried unanimously on the roll‑call votes recorded at the meeting.
