The Marathon County Infrastructure Committee on Oct. 2 unanimously approved a resolution to amend the 2025 highway budget to purchase two ready-built plow trucks after supplier delays put four ordered trucks out of service for the upcoming winter.

Kevin (Highway Department) told the committee the department normally operates about 39 plow trucks with four spares but now faces significant delivery delays: four trucks ordered for November delivery are on back order and will not arrive in time for winter.

"We have 4 that are on back order," Kevin said. "...by the time we get them in, winter will essentially be done."

The department located two fully built tandem trucks offered by a Minnesota vendor that bought and pre-built trucks during a prior parts-delay period. Kevin said those trucks include upgraded features — higher horsepower, improved greasing systems, larger wings and a slurry system for brining — and are priced at about $380,000 each. He contrasted that with recent tandems that came in at about $350,000 and estimated future chassis/build pricing trending toward $400,000.

Kevin described high maintenance costs on older vehicles: four current trucks have required expensive repairs this year, including one repair topping $60,000 and another repair over $10,000; he said an engine replacement could cost $40,000–$60,000.

Finance staff Sam said the resolution increases transfers from fund balance to cover the capital purchase and noted the amendment requires a two-thirds vote because it changes the budget.

Supervisor Hartinger made the motion; Supervisor Griner seconded. The committee voted unanimously to forward the resolution to the full county board.

Nut graf: The amendment funds immediate equipment purchases to avoid service and safety impacts this winter, while relying on fund balance rather than new borrowing; committee members sought clarification about fleet numbers and spare availability during the discussion.

Committee members asked for clarification on fleet counts. Kevin said the department normally keeps four spares and that one truck has been effectively parked this year due to engine concerns, reducing available capacity for winter operations.

The resolution language and full dollar amount are recorded in the packet; the committee voted to send the amendment on to the full county board for final action.

Ending: Committee members emphasized the safety and service rationale for the purchase and thanked highway staff for finding immediate options amid vendor backlogs.