Council motion to buy $646,556 Vactor truck fails for lack of second

The Orting City Council considered but did not approve a purchase of a Vactor truck on April 30 after a motion failed for lack of a second.

Councilmember Hogan moved to authorize a purchase order for a Vactor truck from Owen Equipment in an amount not to exceed $646,555.90, saying the chassis and associated upfits had driven the cost above the budgeted $450,000. The motion did not receive a second and was declared out of order and failed.

Public works staff described the proposed truck as a multi-use utility vehicle intended to reduce outsourcing of sewer, storm and water maintenance. Councilmember Hogan and Public Works Director Ryan McBee told the council the vehicle would have a 15-to-20-year expected service life and that the city had applied to use a state-local financing program to spread payments over time. Staff said a purchase order must be issued to reserve a factory build slot and that payment would be expected 20 days after delivery, with delivery projected in 2026.

Councilmember Moore asked for more financial detail before approving the purchase. "I don't think I've seen a cost benefit analysis at that price point," Moore said, and requested data on past factory-truck purchases and a return-on-investment estimate. Other council members echoed the need for more information before committing to the higher price.

Because the motion failed for lack of a second, no purchase authorization, financing approval or reimbursement action was recorded. Councilmembers noted the item can be brought back for a future meeting with additional financial analysis and backup documentation.

Votes at a glance: motion to authorize the Vactor truck purchase was moved by Councilmember Hogan and failed for lack of a second; no roll-call tally occurred.