City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: April 7, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Sara Sandoval, Management Analyst
Subject
Report on Vehicle Purchase Approved by the City Administrator Recommendation
Receive and file a report on the City Administrator approved vehicle purchase of one 2026 Chevy Suburban Z71 from Chevrolet of Simi Valley for a total amount of $97,952.73.
Background
Historically, the City has purchased vehicles through Sourcewell, a government agency and purchasing cooperative offering competitively solicited cooperative purchasing contracts that other government agencies can utilize for procurement. However, in recent years, vehicle purchases through Sourcewell have been extremely difficult to execute due to limited inventory, long lead times for production, and a high demand for vehicles from other public agencies. As an alternative to Sourcewell and to maintain an adequate fleet, the City has determined that it is often necessary to procure vehicles directly from dealerships. When purchasing from dealerships, staff encounters challenges as well. Vehicle inventory is frequently low, demand is high, and dealerships do not offer the convenience of holding vehicles for lengthy bidding and procurement processes. To secure necessary vehicles, staff must be able to complete the purchasing process expeditiously.
In February 2026, Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) required a new vehicle for its field operations.
The new vehicle was to replace a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe (City vehicle IS L1050) that was no longer reliable. In addition to facilitating field operations in the City, the new vehicle will also be utilized to navigate and maintain unpaved wildland areas owned by the City in Kern County. To obtain a competitive price, staff researched thirty-seven (37) local dealerships that listed a 2026 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 trim and requested informal quotes based on website availability.
AutoNation Chevrolet Valencia, Simi Valley Chevrolet, and Tom Bell Chevrolet offered the most competitive prices for the desired vehicle. Although AutoNation Chevrolet Valencia provided the lowest bid, they were unable to fill the order. The City is registered with an active General Motors fleet account number, and AutoNation Valencia declined the transaction to avoid future inventory allocations with the manufacturer. Subsequently, Simi Valley Chevrolet, whom also offered a competitive quote, confirmed they could fulfill VPU’s fleet criteria.
Subsequently, VPU requested approval from the City Administrator for the purchase of one 2026 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 from Simi Valley Chevrolet for a total amount of $97,952.73. The City Administrator approved this purchase, as Simi Valley was the only dealership with a vehicle that met the City’s requirements and offered the lowest quote. The vehicle purchased by the City was delivered on March 5, 2026.
Given the challenges associated with securing City vehicles, staff are working on amendments to the Veron Municipal Code to enable more efficient processes for future fleet purchases.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact was not-to-exceed $97,952.73. Sufficient funds were available in the Electric Fund, Field Operations, Capital Outlay, Account No. 055-050-550-660000 for the current fiscal year.
Attachments
None.