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PLANNING DEPARTMENT - Planning Director Jessica Martinez
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) TRANSFER OF FUNDS: PLANNING; B-65 - From Project Management (2077-532307) to Vehicles (2077-57605), $ 25,000; and from Maintenance of Equipment (2077-53170) to Vehicles (2077-57605), $8,886.75 (Requires a 4/5’s vote)
b) Request to award the bid for one (1) new 4-wheel drive full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) to Corning Ford in the amount of $33,886.75 and further authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign a purchase order for the acquisition
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Financial Impact:
This purchase will have no impact on the General Fund, as the Planning Department has identified sufficient capacity within its existing budget. Through conservative fiscal management and realized savings, the Department is able to fulfill this identified need without requesting additional appropriations.
Background Information:
On 4/16/2026 the Purchasing Department advertised for bid, one (1) new 4-wheel drive full-size SUV. At bid opening on 4/27/2026 the Purchasing Department received four bids with Corning Ford being the lowest responsive bid. Corning Ford is located inside Tehama County and therefore the Vendor Preference Ordinance does not apply.
For the Planning Department, getting a new car is not only essential, but also a safety precaution. The current vehicle is a 2006 Ford Escape with 137,437 miles. The twenty (20) mines spread around the county are under the supervision of the Planning Department. The Department is responsible for inspecting these mines on an annual basis to comply with state requirements. Staff must sometimes drive across difficult terrain because the majority of the county’s mines are situated in remote areas far from the main route.
In addition, as Planners, when a planning project is received, staff is required to visit project sites to validate data, identify the local topography and traffic that are not visible on maps, and assess how a proposed project fits into an existing environment.