County commissioners approve $564K bid for new waste haul trucks from Liberal Truck Center

During the Seward County Commission meeting on May 5, 2025, a significant discussion centered around the procurement of new waste haul trash trucks, a crucial investment for the county's waste management operations. Brock Thiner, representing the county landfill, presented the details of the bids received for two trash trucks included in the 2025 capital improvement plan.

The county solicited bids from three vendors: Liberal Kenworth, Liberal Truck Center, and Bruckner's Mac. Two bids were returned, with Liberal Kenworth quoting $316,987 and Liberal Truck Center offering a lower bid of $314,500. However, Liberal Truck Center's bid included a surcharge of $3,500, which would apply if the delivery timeline exceeded 75 days. Both bidders indicated a delivery timeframe of 75 days, while a third vendor, Southwest Equipment, projected a longer wait of 120 days for the fabrication of the trash bodies.

Thiner recommended accepting the bid from Liberal Truck Center, totaling $564,600 for both the cabin chassis and the trash bodies, which would be paid from the waste haul mobile equipment budget. The commissioners discussed the implications of the delivery timeline and the potential for additional surcharges if deadlines were missed.

The meeting also addressed the future of the county's aging fleet, with the current trucks nearing 500,000 miles and approximately five to six years old. The commissioners agreed on the necessity of cycling out the older trucks, with plans to auction them off once the new trucks are operational.

In conclusion, the commission's decision to invest in new waste haul trucks reflects a proactive approach to maintaining efficient waste management services in Seward County. The approval of the bids marks a significant step in upgrading the county's equipment, ensuring reliable operations for years to come. The next steps will involve finalizing the procurement process and planning for the disposal of the older trucks.