By 25 News
NORMAL – The Normal Town Council narrowly agreed Monday night to favor hometown Rivian Automotive by purchasing two electric vehicles without going through the formal bidding process.
The town won’t advertise for bids, which typically enable taxpayers to get the lowest possible price for major government purchases.
The council’s vote was 4-3 not to seek bids. Instead, the elected officials authorized City Manager Pam Reece to by an electric pickup truck and sport utility vehicle from Rivian, which has invested more than $500 million in the local plant and hired more than 6,000 people.
“We’ve got a great employer that’s doing great things in our community,” said council member Kevin McCarthy.
Rivian has paid the town more than $2 million in permit fees and the council wants that money to be used for the vehicles.
“We don’t need it, what we want is to demonstrate our support for a company that has come to our little town and established a major manufacturing enterprise,” said Smith.
Although, council member Stan Nord calls it taxpayer abuse.
“I think this is a very entitled ask by town staff. These are luxury vehicles,” said Nord.
Mayor Chris Koos and Council members Kevin McCarthy, Karyn Smith, and Chemberly Harris all voted to waive the bidding process. Council members Kathleen Lorenz, Stan Nord, and Scott Preston voted no. The vote comes just three weeks before the November 8 election in which Preston is running as a Republican for State Representative in the new 91st District against Democratic McLean County Board member Sharon Chung.
Buying Rivian autos is part of the town government’s goal of having its entire vehicle fleet powered by electricity. Electric vehicles are significantly more expensive than gasoline-fueled autos, but they are said to have lower maintenance costs.
“If I was even Rivian, I would be offended if we bought a Tesla or anything else to put on our fleet,” said Chemberly Harris.
The town’s staff did not provide an estimate for how much the Rivian pickup and SUV will cost, but $149,000 is budgeted in the government’s Vehicle and Equipment Replace fund.
