Marshall County Council approves $97,500 purchase of DuraPATCH pothole patcher

The Marshall County Council approved a $97,500 appropriation July 30 to buy a DuraPATCH pothole patching machine, council members said during a special meeting.

County highway staff and several council members told the meeting that the DuraPATCH machine compacts emulsion and stone as it is applied, producing patches that hold longer than the cold patch material the county has used, which county staff said often requires repeated repairs.

Jason Peters, Marshall County Highway Department, told the council the DuraPATCH is a forced-injection system that compacts patch material as crews apply it. “This patch performance has basically proven a long lasting patch, less maintenance, by less maintenance having to go back and redo,” Peters said, describing the machine demonstrated for the county.

Council discussion and staff remarks emphasized that the machine is intended for localized repairs on newer or otherwise serviceable roads rather than for rebuilding fully failed roadways. Peters said the machine can also apply crack sealant without a separate setup, and county staff noted it generally produces a smoother result than the county’s current cold-patch repairs.

During the presentation staff said roughly 60 percent of the county’s complaint calls involve patches that do not hold; commissioners said the DuraPATCH could reduce repeat work and material waste. Staff also noted the machine performed well during a demonstration in Plymouth, prompting positive public reaction.

On funding, a county finance staff member said the purchase would come from the county capital (Kingcap/QMCAP) fund. The finance speaker reported a Kingcap fund balance of about $1,032,000 and said expected revenues of roughly $500,000 would flow into that fund; the appropriation would reduce the QMCAP balance to approximately $1,000,000, the speaker said.

The vendor offered the county a $2,000 discount because the machine to be purchased matched the demonstration unit, the finance speaker said. Commissioners discussed seeking additional quotes and possibly buying more than one unit in future budgeting cycles; that further procurement was discussed but not included in the motion.

A motion to authorize a future appropriation of $97,500 from QMCAP to purchase the machine was moved and seconded; the council voted in favor and the motion carried. The council did not record a roll-call tally during the special meeting.

Before adjourning the meeting, several council members said they would consider liquidating the county’s older patching machine and working to ensure the new unit is put into regular use. The special meeting was limited to the single agenda item and adjourned after the vote.