Commissioners pass resolution to purchase Total Patcher without bid process

Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 2:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

The Marshall County Highway Department will be purchasing a Total Patcher after the County Council gave its support to using Cum Cat funds.

On Monday, Highway Superintendent Jason Peters said Commissioner Stan Klotz signed a contract to purchase the new equipment on July 31^st, the day before a $5,000 increase went into effect. The commissioners ratified Klotz’s signature on the contract.

The county attorney presented a resolution to purchase the Total Patcher from Equipment Marketing Company without the requirement of seeking bids. He said, “The state has special purchasing statutes. There are various scenarios where you are allowed to buy equipment without going through a normal procurement process of bidding or seeking quotes. Generally, those involve some savings. One example is when the device is offered at a rate that another state agency has already secured through a broader procurement process.” The attorney said INDOT has secured the pothole patching machine through a Quantity Purchase Award Agreement. Surrisi went on to say, “This is a permitted way to buy the equipment without bids.”

The commissioners unanimously approved the procurement resolution.

The Council will appropriate the funds for the purchase at their August 11^th meeting. The price is $97,500.