Springfield’s City Council finally approved a contract to out-source its vehicle parts department out to NAPA.
Mayor Mike Houston says it is not the city’s function to employ people, it’s about spending tax money responsibly.
“I don’t think we can guarantee jobs. The reality is we have jobs to fill and the employees who have not secure positions right now will be given every consideration,” Houston told aldermen.
The contract calls for the city to pay NAPA no more than $3.5 million over three years to permanently put two NAPA employees in the city’s new consolidated garage. The company would be responsible for keeping parts in stock 90 percent of the time, charging a ten percent markup on parts.
If a part isn’t available, NAPA says it will look to purchase it locally. It will charge the city a seven percent markup for local parts, and a five percent markup on tires and bulk fluids.