Agenda Item # 11.F.
City Commission Regular Meeting - 5:05 PM
- Meeting Date:
- 08/17/2026
- Re
- Approval of 48 Month Equipment Lease for John Deere, Pursuant to Section 2-446(b) of the City of Fort Pierce Procurement Ordinance.
- Submitted For:
- Danny Visconti
SUBJECT:
Approval of a 48 Month Golf Course Equipment Lease with John Deere, financed through Wells Fargo, for an amount not to exceed $97,000 annually.
SUMMARY:
Staff is requesting approval of a new 48 month lease for John Deere Golf Course Equipment, financed through Wells Fargo. The expenditure was originally approved at the 10/7/2024 City Meeting.
John Deere is the ONLY golf course equipment company that provides ALL of the equipment necessary under ONE lease.
Ordinance 26-004, effective July 20, 2026 amended the City’s Procurement Code. The newly adopted Section 2-438 of the City Code states that the code applies to any contracts entered into after the effective date of the Ordinance. For purchases $50,000.01 and greater, a formal solicitation must be conducted.
“Where not otherwise prohibited by law, the city commission may, by affirmative vote, provide for the limited or complete waiver of competitive source selection policies and procedures, when doing so is in the best interest of the city. Recommendations for all such determinations must be made in writing by the procurement official, with all necessary supporting documentation. Recommendations for all such determinations by the procurement official and the determination to waive competitive source selection policies and procedures by the city commission shall be based on a determination that the waiver is in the best interest of the city utilizing the following considerations:
John Deere is the ONLY golf course equipment company that provides ALL of the equipment necessary under ONE lease.
Ordinance 26-004, effective July 20, 2026 amended the City’s Procurement Code. The newly adopted Section 2-438 of the City Code states that the code applies to any contracts entered into after the effective date of the Ordinance. For purchases $50,000.01 and greater, a formal solicitation must be conducted.
“Where not otherwise prohibited by law, the city commission may, by affirmative vote, provide for the limited or complete waiver of competitive source selection policies and procedures, when doing so is in the best interest of the city. Recommendations for all such determinations must be made in writing by the procurement official, with all necessary supporting documentation. Recommendations for all such determinations by the procurement official and the determination to waive competitive source selection policies and procedures by the city commission shall be based on a determination that the waiver is in the best interest of the city utilizing the following considerations:
- Whether the likely, non-speculative cost of competitive purchasing would exceed any potential savings and benefit to the city;
- Whether the acquisition of the materials, goods, commodities or services should be provided by a unique source or provider based upon particular skills, expertise, or needs of the city; and
- Whether there are specialized or particular needs of the city that outweigh the potential savings and benefits of the competitive purchasing…”
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff's recommendation is to approve the lease for three specific reasons:
* John Deere is the ONLY manufacturer which provides ALL of the equipment necessary to maintain the course, under ONE lease.
* Toro offers some of the equipment needed, but would be at a higher monthly price, and would require us to secure a second lease for the two tractors through Kubota.
* Finally, Toro's warranty is not as comprehensive as John Deere, which could lead to higher repair costs in the future.
* John Deere is the ONLY manufacturer which provides ALL of the equipment necessary to maintain the course, under ONE lease.
* Toro offers some of the equipment needed, but would be at a higher monthly price, and would require us to secure a second lease for the two tractors through Kubota.
* Finally, Toro's warranty is not as comprehensive as John Deere, which could lead to higher repair costs in the future.
ALTERNATIVES:
Toro would be the only alternative, but would cost more monthly, would provide a less comprehensive warranty, and would require an additional second lease for the two tractors.
RESPONSIBLE STAFF:
Danny Visconti, Indian Hills Golf Course Manager
COORDINATED WITH:
Gelencia Carter, Purchasing Manager
Richard Chess, City Manager
Richard Chess, City Manager
Fiscal Impact
- Budgeted Y/N:
- Y
- Fiscal Year:
- 2026
- Account:
- 405-4500-559180
- Amount:
- 96005.00
OTHER INFORMATION:
Budgeted line item beginning in the 2025-2026 Fiscal year.
Expenditure originally approved by the commission on 10/7/2024 in an effort to lock in a lower monthly payment.
Expenditure originally approved by the commission on 10/7/2024 in an effort to lock in a lower monthly payment.
Attachments
- John Deere Monthly Lease Payment
- Toro Monthly Payment -Equipment ONLY
- Kubota Tractors Monthly Payment
- John Deere Equipment Detail
- Purchasing Department Justification Memo
- John Deere Updated Lease Documents
- Waiver of Competitive Source Memo
- City Attorney Approval