Public Works notifies board of planned Ford F-250 purchase for Dumpstoppers program

Columbia County Public Works and Land Development Services notified the board on Feb. 5 of its intent to purchase a Ford F-250 to replace an older Ford Ranger used by the Dumpstoppers program. Grant DeJong, presenting for Public Works, said the departments have $80,000 budgeted for the replacement; the quoted price for the vehicle through state contract PA 16 56 is $56,246.71.

DeJong said the purchase route is a state contract (PA 16 56) because a local Ford dealer was not available and staff did not find a suitable used vehicle. He added the remaining budgeted funds would cover an aftermarket liftgate and any required upfitting for code-enforcement work.

"This vehicle is due for replacement," DeJong said, explaining that the new truck will allow one person to handle larger loads such as mattresses at illegal dump sites and will include cameras and sensors for operating in tight spaces.

DeJong noted the county's purchasing ordinance (section F6) allows purchase orders to be executed by the finance director at the stated threshold. He said no formal vote was required at the meeting because the item was a notice, but staff will include specific contractual language on the purchase order per counsel's prior guidance.