Southern F.S. pitches fuel-management services to Pinckneyville; council will review proposal

Representatives from Southern F.S. presented a fuel-management proposal to the Pinckneyville City Council on Jan. 27, offering to supply the city’s fuel needs, furnish new tanks and pumps and provide local service and top-grade diesel.

Joel McIntyre of Southern F.S.’s Pinckneyville office introduced Randy Holliday and Tim Fulton, who described Southern F.S. as a local fuel supplier that pays sales and property taxes in Perry County and employs local people. Fulton said Southern F.S. can furnish new tanks and pumps — and stated the company would provide new tanks free of charge — and that a local service team would perform repairs.

Mayor Robert L. Spencer said the city should support local businesses and noted Southern F.S. pays local taxes and has a facility in the industrial park; Commissioner Kevin B. Hicks agreed that shopping local is important. Commissioner Sammy D. Peradotta cautioned that the city previously sought new fuel tanks and had turned to Huels Oil in the past when another supplier could not provide them quickly; he said he is open to switching if it saves the city money but not just to switch vendors.

The council took no formal vote on the Southern F.S. proposal during the meeting and will review the company’s offer. In public comment, residents also raised unrelated items: Mike Kovic asked whether the council had questions about the Zoning Board; Laura Loos asked about installation of IDOT-standard flashing stop signs at the 4-way stop and about the status of lots 107, 109 and 111 South Walnut Street; residents Genevieve Hester and Ava Hackworth thanked the council for salting Perry Street.

No procurement decisions were made at the meeting; council members indicated they will evaluate Southern F.S.’s proposal before any contract or procurement action.