#procurement

C
City of Rossland

šŸš› Pay More for Rule-Following?

Council faces a dilemma: Should Rossland pay $345,142 for a compliant truck bid when 4 cheaper options existed but didn't follow the rules?

ā„ļø The city needs a new winter plow/summer transport truck to replace their 2009 Sterling

šŸ’° Only 1 out of 5 companies submitted a proper bid - but it costs $14,000+ more than some non-compliant ones

šŸ¤” Your tax dollars, your call

The Bid Breakdown

  • šŸ† New West Truck: $345,142 (COMPLIANT - only one following RFP rules)

  • āŒ R James Group: $331,053 (non-compliant - $14k cheaper)

  • āŒ Inland Truck: $286,760 (non-compliant - $58k cheaper)

The Bid Breakdown

  • āŒ Two Peterbilt bids: Also non-compliant

  • šŸ“‹ City policy requires following procurement rules, not just lowest price

  • šŸ¤· Staff don't specify what made 4 bids non-compliant

What You're Getting

  • ā„ļø Winter mode: Snow plow and sander for city streets

  • ā˜€ļø Summer mode: Equipment transport truck for public works

  • šŸ”„ Replaces aging 2009 Sterling dump truck (trade-in included)

What You're Getting

  • šŸ’° Budget reality: $335,000 budgeted vs $345,142 actual cost

  • šŸ’µ Funding covered by savings from previous equipment purchase

  • šŸšš Freightliner M2 106 - proven municipal fleet choice

When bidding rules eliminate cheaper options, should the city prioritize strict compliance or seek better value for taxpayers?

šŸ“… Council meets September 15, 2025 to decide on this $345,142 truck purchase

Have your say: ā€¢ Email council before the meeting ā€¢ Attend and speak during public input ā€¢ Watch the livestream

šŸ“ Your input matters - this sets precedent for how Rossland handles procurement compliance vs. cost savings

#municipal#transportation#procurement
Sep 15, 2025
R
RDKB - Regional District of Kootenay Boundary

šŸ”„ Fire Protection Boost Coming

With wildfire risks increasing across the region, KBRFR is moving fast to secure three new wildland fire engines by April 2026 - a full year ahead of schedule.

The $800,000 investment will replace one aging 2006 vehicle and add two brand new units to protect communities in Rossland, Trail, and Fruitvale.

šŸš’ Better equipment = Better protection for your family and property

  • šŸš’ Three wildland fire engines planned for Rossland, Trail, and Fruitvale stations

  • šŸ”„ One unit replaces current 2006 Bush truck that's past its prime

  • āž• Two units are brand new additions to expand fire protection capacity

  • šŸšØ Engines will also respond to First Responder and Rescue calls, reducing wear on larger trucks

  • šŸ“¦ No additional firefighting equipment needed - KBRFR already has the gear

  • šŸ’° $800,000 total budget already allocated in 2026 five-year financial plan

  • šŸ“ˆ Early procurement protects against cost escalation and supply chain delays

  • ā° Ordering now ensures delivery before 2026 fire season begins

  • šŸŒ Complex international markets make early ordering smart financial planning

  • āœ… No 2025 expenses - this is forward approval for 2026 spending

Do you support this $800,000 investment in wildland fire protection for Rossland, Trail, and Fruitvale? What fire safety improvements matter most to your community?

Next Steps: The RDKB Board of Directors will vote on this procurement at their next meeting.

How to Participate:

  • Attend the board meeting to share your thoughts
  • Contact your regional director
  • Submit written feedback to the RDKB office

Timeline:

  • Board decision: Upcoming meeting
  • If approved: Engines ordered in 2025
  • Delivery: April 2026, ready for fire season
#fire#emergency#procurement
Aug 27, 2025