During a Dec. 1, 2025 city commission meeting, officials in Lake Alfred unanimously approved the purchase.
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — During a December City Commission meeting in Lake Alfred, officials decided to approve the purchase of a 2025 Tesla Cybertruck for $131,787.
According to the meeting agenda from Dec. 1, 2025, the city manager presented an analysis before officials in the municipality in Polk County unanimously approved the resolution for a “Brush Truck.”
With the approval, aiming to enhance the Fire Department’s “operational capabilities,” Lake Alfred officials gave the green light to buy the truck from Unplugged Performance, a “premium performance upgrades” company focused on Tesla cars.
Officials hope the Cybertruck can be put to use in the following ways:
As a brush truck, equipping it with a 150-gallon water tank to support firefighting work in wildland, brush and rural areasUse it as a command vehicle for on-scene management during incidentsMaking it available as a rescue unit during emergency responses and rescue operationsAs a mobile energy source, since “The vehicle’s battery system can power equipment and meet emergency”
According to the agenda, the purchase item was previously included in Lake Alfred’s Capital Improvement Program since Fiscal Year 2020-2021, adding that it was slated for funding in the 2027-2028 Fiscal Year with $150,000. Nonetheless, staff wanted the funds earlier.
“Staff is requesting to advance the purchase to the current fiscal year and public safety program funds are available to fund the request,” the meeting minutes state. “The staff recommends approval of the purchase of the 2025 Tesla Cybertruck from Unplugged Performance for the amount of $131,787.”
During the meeting, the minutes show that Fire Chief Darius Livingston talked about the item.
“Livingston spoke about this purchase being a leader in the municipal realm, about being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, the warranty, the ease of maintenance, and its multiple uses,” the minutes state. “He shared that Tesla was adding about $40,000 in equipment.”
Public comment, according to official documents, flagged issues with the proposal. The minutes reference a statement from Carson Parris, who talked about an occasion when an electric vehicle broke down and left him stranded. This was followed by Chief Livingston’s comments, “noting that we went with the best company in the electric vehicle industry.”
Last year, Tesla recalled over 63,000 Cybertrucks due to front lights being too bright.
According to the Lake Alfred Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget report, the municipality’s budget for this fiscal year is $47.5 million. The same report shows that the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget could be $31.2 million.
