The Marshall County Commissioners this week unanimously approved the purchase of three Ford pickup trucks for the Highway Department, choosing the higher-priced bid based on performance and long-term value. The county also completed the purchase of a replacement tile jetter.
Highway Superintendent Jason Peters presented competing bids for Ford and Dodge pickup trucks for two crew-cab models and one standard cab from the Truck Center.
The Ford bids came in at $47,545 for the standard cab and $52,785 for the crew cab. The Dodge bids were lower, at $46,619 for the standard cab and $48,933 for the crew cab.
Despite the higher price tag, Peters recommended the Ford trucks, citing several key advantages: a heavier payload capacity, better fuel economy, and a military-grade aluminum body. He said the plan is to keep the trucks in service for 10 years. All three trucks are ¾-ton with four-wheel drive.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Ford purchase, satisfied with the detailed justification provided for selecting the higher-priced vehicles. The trucks will be included in the lease-to-purchase agreement previously approved by the commissioners.
Peters also reported that the county has completed the purchase of a new tile jetter. The Highway Department had been operating a 2002 tile jetter with a Zenith motor that was in need of service, with repair costs estimated at around $12,000. The book value on the old machine was only $6,000 to $8,000, making repairs difficult to justify.
Peters said he located a slightly used jetter in excellent condition priced at $59,000, with the vendor offering $6,000 in trade-in value for the old unit. The commissioners approved the purchase as a cost-effective upgrade for the department. The tile jetter was paid out of the Cum Bridge Fund.
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