The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education took no action on fuel and storage bids during Tuesday’s board meeting, to gather more information and potentially purchasing the equipment itself. During the board’s Nov. 15 meeting, two bids were received but just for the fuel portion only, which the district was requesting companies provide the equipment and maintenance on the tanks to be included. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau says the district sent the bids back and were able to receive two bids again that were presented during the Dec. 16 board meeting.
Questions were raised about why CCSD doesn’t purchase its own storage tanks and then just need to bid the fuel. Berlau says they have explored the idea previously, but leasing would take the responsibility off the district.
Board member Jim Friel says he feels the reason why only two bids were received and why the storage tanks were not included in the first bids was because companies are skeptical on leasing equipment, if they even have it available to lease.
Friel says he researched companies that could potentially install the tanks and provide a card system for staff to utilize to access the fuel for around $50,000. Director of Business Affairs Nicole McCarville says they were quoted for fuel storage equipment prior and it was well above that dollar mark. Friel says even with the upfront cost, after three years of owning instead of leasing, the district would see a return in the investment. Board member Jeff Cullen, who also served as the district’s transportation director, agreed.
The district will now be sending out two bids, one for storage tanks that will be placed at the new transportation facility site and for the fuel itself. The district averages around 7,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline and 47,000 gallons of diesel annually.
