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Road staff warn of plow price increases, discuss equipment priorities for upcoming budgets
Summary
Hall County road staff reported expected 20–25% steel-driven price increases for plows, described recent equipment purchases and outlined longer-term equipment needs for budget planning.
Hall County road staff told the board that plow prices could rise 20%–25% because of steel tariffs and recommended budgeting for new equipment over the next one to two fiscal years.
"They're talking about steel could go up anywhere from 20 to 25% because of the trade tariff... I would say 20 to 25%," a road staff member said while discussing vendor quotes and prior purchases. Staff said the county already uses some plows from the vendor under discussion and that two recently acquired plows are parked and unused.
Staff described a multi-year equipment plan that prioritizes heavy equipment such as a loader, followed by a mini skid steer and possibly a rubber-tired excavator used for ditch cleaning. The speaker said replacement timing would likely place some purchases in the next budget year and others out two years.
On immediate needs, staff supplied quotes and recommended beginning to assemble a funding plan for a newer plow rather than piecing together components. "I handed Scott the paper. Saving to just get a newer plow and start to try to piece 1 together. We can absorb it. Yes. We can," the speaker said.
No formal budget amendment or vote was recorded in the transcript. The discussion focused on procurement timing, anticipated material-cost inflation, and internal equipment priorities for future capital budgeting.
Cost estimates, vendor names, and exact budget figures were not provided in the transcript and are "not specified."
