Colfax school board approves two-year gas bid

Colfax School District approved a bid from Busch Distributors Monday night to supply fuel for district buses and other vehicles for the next two school years.

Busch submitted one of two bids for the diesel and gas contract.

Their bid of 9.9 cents over rack, or cost, compared to Pacific Convenience and Fuels’ bid of five cents less than their per gallon price.

Four-Star Supply, formerly Colfax Grange, who has supplied fuel to the district in recent years, did not submit a bid. Members of the school board asked if something fell through the cracks. Business manager Reece Jenkin said the contract was advertised in the Gazette and that bid notices were also sent to Four-Star and other previous suppliers.

“I don’t think it got to the right person, or something,” Board member Kathy Wride commented.

“Is that our fault?” asked Robert Smith. “I don’t think so.”

A discussion then ensued about the price difference in the two bids.

Board member Laura Johnson moved to approve the contract for Busch Distributors.

Reached by the Gazette later, Kevin McDonnell, General Manager of Four-Star Supply, said there was no particular reason they did not bid, but just that “we didn’t get it in.”

The majority of diesel will be used for Colfax buses.