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Council approves purchase of four used tandem-axle trucks to bolster DPW fleet
Summary
To address aging equipment and winter operations needs, council approved resolutions to buy four used tandem-axle trucks — two from one vendor and two from another — at a combined cost below a single new-truck price; purchases funded from ESU capital.
Kankakee City Council approved two resolutions authorizing the purchase of four used international tandem-axle trucks to strengthen the Department of Public Works fleet and address winter-season reliability concerns.
Public Works staff described the purchases as a cost-efficient alternative to buying new trucks. City representatives said one vendor’s two trucks would cost not to exceed $75,000 total and a second vendor’s two trucks would be no more than $49,000 each, for a total outlay well under the price of a single new truck. The vehicles are roughly 10 years old and have about 70,000 miles but were described as in good condition and available with the stainless-steel beds and equipment the city needs.
Council members confirmed the purchases would be funded from the Environmental Services Utility capital fund. The council approved the resolutions after committee recommendation; recorded votes show the first resolution passed with 12 ayes and one abstention and the second passed 13–0.
Staff said one existing truck will be retired to the department’s reserve “boneyard” for parts, while the remaining vehicles will add three active units to the fleet, improving reliability during snow response and routine public-works tasks. City officials said the purchases are interim solutions while the city continues to pursue replacement of older units on a longer-term capital schedule.
