Derby City Council on Jan. 28 approved multiple budgeted purchases and personnel items and re-elected Nick Engel as council president, with all recorded votes carried 6-0.

Why it matters: The council approved replacement public-works equipment and vehicles that city staff said are needed for snow removal, street maintenance and traffic signal work; most purchases will be paid from the newly established Derby Difference sales tax fund or from existing budgeted amounts.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda — Approved. Council moved to approve seven consent items including reappointment of Sandra Clennard Flanders to the Sedgwick County Community Corrections Advisory Board for a two‑year term through Feb. 8, 2027; awarding a carpet replacement bid for $35,555 to Floor Coverings International; purchase of Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium from RapidScale Inc. for $67,596 (initial year funded by a state grant); purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe from Don Hatten for $71,200 for a new fire chief vehicle; acknowledgment of an anonymous $1,400 donation to Derby Fire and Rescue; and approval of a $53,500 change order with Professional Engineering Consultants for Dikarski Park Phase 2 design services. Motion to approve consent agenda made by Council Member Nick Engel; motion carried.

- Election of council president — Approved. After nominations, Council Member Unkle nominated Nick Engel to serve a one‑year term as council president; the nomination received a second and Engel was elected by voice vote, motion carried 6-0. The council referenced Charter Ordinance No. 60 when outlining duties and the line of succession to mayor in the event of a vacancy.

- Purchase: Public Works tandem dump truck and backhoe — Approved. Assistant Public Works Director Tom Kyle summarized bids for a replacement 2005 tandem‑axle dump truck (used for snow operations) and a 2000s John Deere backhoe. The lowest responsive bid for the dump truck (Truck Center) totaled $278,587 (including a $10,000 trade‑in allowance shown); the backhoe low bid (Murphy Tractor) totaled $153,302 (including a $20,000 trade‑in allowance). Kyle said the dump truck bid exceeded the line‑item budget by $3,587 but the backhoe came in $16,698 under budget; both purchases were recommended from the Derby Difference sales tax fund. Council voted to approve purchases by voice vote, motion carried 6-0.

- Purchase: Two pickup trucks and a utility truck — Approved. Staff sought replacement of two 2008 pickup trucks and a 2008 utility truck used by the sign-and-signal division. Midway Motors submitted the low responsive bids for two crew‑cab pickups at $47,329 each (total $94,658). Don Hatten submitted the low responsive bid for the utility signal truck at $57,636. Staff said these bids came in about $27,000 below the budgeted amount; funding was identified from the Derby Difference sales tax fund. Motion to approve purchases carried 6-0.

What staff said

Tom Kyle, assistant public works director, told the council the tandem dump truck is the largest snow‑plow unit in the fleet and that the truck and the backhoe were included in the 2025 equipment‑replacement budget. He noted the dump truck has about 48,100 hours on it (roughly equivalent to 90,000 miles on the engine) and said staff had evaluated trade‑in versus auction options. The city manager clarified that Derby Difference funds are budgeted for these purchases and that the city will use available prior balances and reimburse timing differences as receipts occur.

No dissenting votes were recorded on any item. The council adjourned at the end of the meeting.