Henry County approves $1.37 million in DOT equipment purchases to speed roadway response

The Henry County Board of Commissioners on July 15 approved four Department of Transportation equipment purchases totaling $1,367,323.33 intended to speed response to roadway issues by stationing equipment in districts.

Deputy and Director Morris presented the requests, telling the board the purchases will let the DOT “break off into separate district responses” so crews do not have to move equipment long distances. Director Morris listed the four items as: four John Deere 6120E cab tractors with Bush Hog attachments for $496,374.19, two Kenworth T880 dump trucks for $460,425, one Vermeer wood chipper for $149,556.14, and two compact track loaders for $260,968. All purchases were proposed to use Capital Improvement Plan funds and state or cooperative contract vehicles referenced in the staff presentation.

Morris said the department is “realigning our resources” and assigning teams and equipment by district to reduce deployment times and operating costs. He described an example in which moving a tractor across the county could remove a crew from service for many hours. “By aligning our people in the district ... we can save money, operating costs, and also make our constituents a lot happier,” he said.

Commissioners asked how the changes will affect maintenance and response; Morris and staff said staging equipment in districts will reduce travel time and allow quicker local responses. The board approved all four resolutions in a single vote; the public transcript records a motion, second and “Motion carries” but does not list mover/second names or a roll-call vote.