Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Springfield‘s decision to outsource its auto parts shop to NAPA has brought unsatisfactory results for Ald. Ralph Hanauer.

“Something as simple as the fire department, a bulb they don’t keep a bulb for the damn, uh, dang lights, and so that truck is out of service,” said Hanauer.

The subject came up as NAPA has run out of money.

Ald. Larry Rockford: “I don’t know if there was a bidding process that went out the last time –“
Budget director Ramona Metzger: “There was.”
Rockford: “And this was the cheapest?”
Metzger: “On the last bid, I want to say that NAPA was the only bid last time.”

Rockford said the city should be more aggressive about soliciting other bids rather than “going through the motions.”

The council will vote Tuesday on a $1.935 million request. The fleet manager told the council there is a 90-day period to opt out.