Public Works staff told the council on Sept. 16 they will request authorization at the Oct. 7 meeting to sign purchase orders for a backhoe, crack‑sealing machine and a hook‑lift truck with accessories. Assistant/Director Aaron Hicks said the three pieces were budgeted at $640,000 in the 2025 budget but that negotiated state‑contract pricing reduces the total award to $504,000, a $136,000 savings.

Hicks said some existing equipment is more than 25 years old, is increasingly costly to repair and lacks modern safety features; the EMR fund—the Equipment Maintenance & Revolving fund funded by rental charges to user funds—was cited as the payor for the purchases. Council was asked to place Resolution No. 1399‑0825 on the Oct. 7 action agenda to authorize the purchase orders.

Hicks also asked council to place Resolution No. 1400‑0825 on Oct. 7 to declare several older units surplus (including a backhoe with an estimated $22,000 value). Council discussion emphasized use of state contracts for procurement and the EMR fund’s role in replacing heavy equipment. Staff estimated delivery of new machines in roughly six months and offered a public demonstration once units arrive.

Formal actions taken on Sept. 16 were motions to place the purchase and surplus resolutions on the Oct. 7 action agenda; both motions passed on voice votes. No final purchase approvals were made at the Sept. 16 meeting.