The Ames City Council waived its formal bidding requirements in its meeting Tuesday night, which will allow the city to purchase its first hybrid car.

A Toyota Prius will be purchased from Wilson Cadillac-Toyota-Scion of Ames for the amount of $23,319.

The hybrid will take the place of a sedan currently owned by the city, which is scheduled for replacement this fiscal year.

Usually a newer, pre-owned sedan for an approximate cost of $16,000 would be purchased as a replacement, but because of high fuel costs and in attempt to reduce emissions of exhaust, environmentally friendly efforts are being taken by Fleet Services.

Fleet Services manages all purchases and coordination of Ames’ automotive fleet and has initiated a conservation and reduction program, which includes experimentation with a hybrid vehicle.

The vehicle will be primarily used by Don Kom, electric services director of Ames, and its performance will be monitored to use for future vehicle purchases.

“The economics don’t really pay out, but the environment is improved because you’re burning less fuel,” said Paul Hinderacker, director of Ames Fleet Services.

The council also discussed the installation of disinfection equipment at the Ames Water Pollution Control Plant.

Ames is already considered a leader among municipal treatment facilities, but the water and pollution control department is suggesting additional equipment above legal requirements, in order to further protect the environment.

However, new equipment would require a large financial commitment.

“It would be much more cost effective to bundle this with a larger construction project in the future,” said John Dunn, assistant director of water and pollution control in Ames.

“The staff recommendation is that we wait until the requirement is included in a new permit.”