Commission committee approves fuel contract with Gresham Petroleum for FY2026

A public‑works committee on July 23 recommended a resolution to purchase gasoline and diesel from Gresham Petroleum Company for a total not to exceed $2,645,241 for fiscal year 2026, with renewals for two additional one‑year periods. The measure, sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr., was moved and seconded in committee and recorded with three aye votes; it will advance to the full commission with a favorable recommendation.

County Engineer Darren Sanders told the committee the county operates several fill stations — at Shelby Farms Park, on Alabama Street downtown, and pumps at the sheriff’s Arlington substation — and uses about 1,000,000 gallons of fuel annually. Sanders said wholesalers were asked to price bids using the refinery rack rate on May 27 and that a contingency is included to account for fuel price fluctuations: "We use about 1000000 gallons of fuel annually," he said, explaining the purchasing method and the need for a contingency to cover changing fuel prices. The committee clerk recorded three aye votes from Commissioners Sugarman, Mills and Ford.

Why it matters: the contract covers core fleet operations for county government and the sheriff's office; locking in wholesaler fees may reduce short‑term volatility but does not remove exposure to daily rack‑rate changes. The resolution requires combined Fleet Services internal service funds and Sheriff’s Office general funds not to exceed the stated amounts.