St. Charles buys first hybrid

St. Charles officials agreed Monday to buy the city's first hybrid vehicle as part of an ongoing conservation initiative.

Mayor Don DeWitte said he hopes the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid will be the "first of many" alternative fuel-source vehicles to join the city fleet.

Aldermen voted 9-0 to buy the sport utility vehicle at a cost of $25,312 from Zimmerman Ford, 2525 E. Main St., which provided the lowest bid.

First Ward Alderman Ron Silkaitis abstained because he works for the dealer.

City Administrator Brian Townsend said the vehicle will be used by inspectors in the building and zoning department.

The purchase comes more than a year after the formation of a city task force charged with brainstorming ways to cut fuel costs and consumption.

Officials have said the city expected to spend nearly $400,000 on fuel for about 200 vehicles this fiscal year.

Aside from replacing traditional fuel-source vehicles with hybrids, the city is promoting other means of conserving fuel, such as better vehicle maintenance, carpooling and smarter planning of municipal trips in and around town.