BELLE — White’s Automotive Company was awarded a $592 tire bid on Oct. 8 by Belle aldermen that includes installation, mounting, and balancing for the city’s service truck.

Despite ongoing litigation against White’s Auto Glass owner Daryl White, Jr., — who was charged with theft and official misconduct on Dec. 21, 2023, for actions allegedly committed while serving as mayor — aldermen have continued to award bids to his automotive company. The current mayor and two aldermen previously served alongside White on the board.

In addition to discussing the tire bids on Sept. 30, aldermen also consented to shop for new service trucks on the online auction site Purple Wave.

Discussion around the tire bid began during a special meeting on Sept. 30 when the board requested more information and put off the final decision to purchase the tires.

Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell read the bids during the Sept. 30 meeting that included White’s and Owen’s Towing for $824.44 for installation, mounting and balancing.

“We are saving $300 with White’s,” Alderman Jeanette Struemph said.

Mitchell said the tires were comparable, though one was $148 and the other was $179.11. Owen’s Towing bid the Firestones and White’s bid was for Coopers.

Alderman Kevin Guffey asked for clarification about each bid including the installation, mounting, and balancing. Owen’s Towing included in the bid that the price was for the installation, mounting, and balancing. White’s bid did not specify if the bid included installation, mounting and balancing when they were opened during the special meeting.

“We don’t need to make the decision tonight,” Guffey said. “Why don’t we tell White’s they need to bid with the disposal, putting them on and balancing them? We will revisit it.”

Guffey said they need to have it in writing so they are all on the same page and Alderman Steve Vogt agreed to have it on the Oct. 8 meeting agenda.

Mitchell reintroduced the topic at the Oct. 8 meeting with confirmation that White’s Auto considered the price of installation, mounting and balancing were included in the bid.

Struemph asked if there was anything in writing confirming White’s price with that information.

“Yes, Darrin talked to Daryl,” City Treasurer Charro Reasor said.

Mitchell asked Struemph if she wanted to see it and passed her a bid sheet.

“It’s not on here,” Struemph said. “He didn’t add that to here. He explained that was the total?”

Darrin Guin, public works director, said it was in writing.

“I thought it was in there,” Mitchell said. “He re-wrote it.”

Struemph said ok.

“Just so we have something with the clarification,” she said.

Mitchell asked for a motion to accept the lowest bid. Struemph and Howarth were the motion and second. The bid was approved with a 3-0 vote to White Motor Company.

During the Sept. 30 meeting, the board also consented to watch Purple Wave, an online auction site, for “good deals” to replace the public works vehicles.

According to City Clerk Sherree Burkholder’s minutes from the meeting, Jim Goben with the public works department was asked to assess the current service trucks, provide a cost estimate of needed repairs, and give it to the board.

“Our service truck is about to lay down on us,” Mitchell told the board in September before they discussed tire bids. “Our pickup we got pretty well has laid down. We’ve been watching on there, watching stuff sell. There’s been some pretty nice service trucks that sold for $8,100.”

Mitchell said if they bought a pickup for the street department he’d like to see one with a hoist so they could use it for hot and cold patches, too.

Goben said they talked about it previously and he agreed. Mitchell said they need to watch where the sales are. Previous trucks were in Kansas and Iowa.

“Just throw that in there and see what council’s opinion on it,” Mitchell said. “Before anything would be purchased, we’d just be watching and notify you if something pops up.”

Struemph said they have several pieces of equipment that are ancient and need to be replaced. She suggested a prioritized list.

Mitchell said the blue Ford truck had transmission problems. Goben said he’s checked it out and it won’t start when it’s wet.

Vogt said he’d make a motion to proceed with watching Purple Wave. Guffey said a board consensus was fine and they didn’t need to vote on it. However, he asked Goben to go through the service vehicles to see what condition they were in and what they would need in the future.

“The blue truck’s not that old,” Guffey said. “The red truck we bought 12 to 15 years ago.”

The blue Ford is a 2006-07.

“Can you dive into ‘em and see what price of repair versus Purple Wave?” Guffey asked.

Vogt asked if they purchased the truck if it could come out of ARPA funds. Reasor said no.

“I withdraw my motion since it’s a board consensus,” Vogt said.