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Finance committee approves purchase of new truck for Land Conservation using insurance and tree-and-shrub funds
Summary
The committee approved buying a 2025 GMC Sierra for the Land Conservation Department at a government price of $44,004.79, using the $22,554.50 insurance payout and remaining funds from the department’s tree-and-shrub account prior to that fund’s planned transfer back to the general fund.
The Ashland County Finance and Economic Development Committee approved purchasing a new 2025 GMC Sierra truck for the Land Conservation Department after staff said the department’s vehicle was totaled in a winter crash.
Why it matters: The Land Conservation Department uses trucks to tow a boat and a no-till farm planter; staff said the current vehicles lacked sufficient towing capacity for both implements. The department received an insurance settlement and proposed purchasing a new vehicle soon because of impending tariffs that could raise new-vehicle prices.
Department head Mary Jo told the committee the totaled vehicle produced an insurance payout of $22,554.50. She presented two purchase options: a brand-new 2025 GMC Sierra offered at a government price of $44,004.79 from Don Johnson in Hayward, and a used 2018 Chevy Silverado offered at $26,500 from Ashland Ford Chrysler. Mary Jo said the new GMC has towing and crew-cab capability necessary to haul the no-till drill (the drill weighs about 3,500 pounds) and the boat used for summer fieldwork.
Financing and motion: Committee members discussed funding sources. Staff recommended using the insurance proceeds plus remaining money currently held in the department’s tree-and-shrub account before that account is closed to the general fund, to avoid triggering a county-board budget amendment. The final motion (moved and restated on the record) authorized purchase of the new 2025 GMC Sierra from Don Johnson for $44,004.79 using the $22,554.50 insurance proceeds and the remaining tree-and-shrub funds; Ronald Stender seconded. A voice vote was recorded as “Aye” and the motion carried (yes:5, no:0).
Operational details: Staff noted towing limits on the planter (must be towed at low speeds, not above ~20 mph) and confirmed the selected vehicle has a trailer towing package and sufficient towing capacity for department needs.
Ending: County staff will finalize the purchase and prepare a budget motion or administrative transfer to show the transaction in the county’s accounting system before moving the tree-and-shrub account balance back to the general fund.
