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Council considers using Royal Auction Group to sell surplus vehicles and equipment
Summary
City staff recommended using Royal Auction Group, a national consignment auction service, for high‑value surplus vehicles and equipment; the firm charges a buyer premium so the city retains full sale proceeds, and councilors asked to accelerate review and consider suspending rules for June legislation.
Wadsworth Assistant Public Service Director Mike Testa told the Committee of the Whole on May 19 that the city is considering using Royal Auction Group, a national consignment auction service, to sell higher‑value surplus vehicles and equipment. Testa said the firm handles listings, title transfers and pickup coordination and that the buyer pays a surcharge; "if the winning bidder bid $10,000, the City would receive the full $10,000," he said.
Council Member Tom Stugmyer and other members discussed timing and noted Public Service had reviewed the arrangement on May 12. Service Director Matt Hiscock described the buyer premium as a standard auction practice and members signaled support for moving quickly if the consignment approach demonstrably improves sale prices. Council Member Zach Berger confirmed the firm charges a buyer fee rather than taking revenue from sale proceeds.
The item was recorded as Resolution No. 26-03 and assigned by the Clerk for formal consideration. Staff said they would evaluate results from an initial use and, if promising, broaden the June auction legislation to allow the consignment outlet for vehicles and other high‑ticket items.
