To give local dealer chance to bid, county holds off purchasing squads until 2023

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
Swift County will hold off a year on buying two new sheriff’s office squad vehicles to give Nolan Baker Ford Sales in Kerkhoven the chance to get the bid on four orders.
Sheriff John Holtz brought two bids before the county board at its Jan. 18 meeting, one from Nolan Baker and one from Guardian Fleet Supply in Clear Lake, MN. The bids were for two squads to be delivered later in 2022.
Nolan Baker’s bid was $37,772 for an F-150 squad truck. The bid had a $595 interior upgrade, a police engine idle for $260, and an interior work surface included for $195.
Guardian’s bid was $36,089. Police engine idle package keeps the engine warm and the squad ready to go immediately during very cold weather, Holtz told commissioners. It is an extra charge with Nolan Baker, but Guardian includes it.
Holtz told commissioners that he had talked with Nolan Baker and the dealership can’t get any more squads for 2022.  However, Guardian had order 24 back in early January with most sold or spoken for, he said. Swift County’s order could possibly be delivered in the fall. Guardian is also the company that does all the electrical upgrades to the squads, he said.
Holtz said he would recommend going with Guardian. He added that the sheriff’s office would be doing business with Nolan Baker in the future and that it would be using the business for warranty work and other upkeep.
Swift County rotates its squad vehicles every four years with two purchased annually. The two current squads that would be going out have about 112,000 miles on them, Holtz said.
Commissioner Eric Rudningen, District 5-Kerkhoven, told Holtz that he had talked with Tom Baker of Nolan Baker Ford. He was told that while Guardian may have ordered 24 squads, they may not be getting 24 trucks.
Rudningen said that based on the price difference between the two bids not being that significant and the possibility that the squads might not arrive in 2022, that he favored waiting and bidding for 2023 vehicles.
“And then wait longer for a different vehicle?” Holtz asked.
Swift County provides economic development incentives to businesses that are considering locating or expanding locally, Rudningen said. Nolan Baker is the only new car dealership in the county, he pointed out. He also said there was a good chance the county was going to wait anyway based on how tight vehicle supply is now.
“I’ve talked with Guardian and that is what he says he has ordered,” Holtz said. “From his conversations with his suppliers, he is supposed to get them.”
Rudningen then moved that the county board reject both bids and get bids for two 2023 F-150 police cruisers.
Fox then asked for a second. Commissioner Pete Peterson, District 3-south Benson and Torning Township, seconded the motion.
 
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