Kankakee panel recommends buying four trucks, sends two purchase resolutions to council

Kankakee City’s Environmental Services Utility Board voted Monday to recommend two purchase resolutions to city council that together would allow the utility to add four used international tandem-axle trucks to its fleet at substantially lower cost than new vehicles.

The board’s recommendation would authorize purchasing two tandem-axle chassis from Keiki Truck Equipment in an amount not to exceed $75,000 and two trucks from Rush Enterprises at up to $49,000 each. The purchases were presented as an opportunity to acquire newer, stainless-steel-equipped vehicles that would replace the utility’s oldest units and expand available tandems.

Why this matters: replacing aging plow-and-spreader trucks is a capital priority for Public Works and the utility. Board materials…