Hampton plans intergovernmental purchasing agreement with school district, offer 2020 truck sale at $40,000

Township officials on Feb. 12 told the council they had negotiated an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the local school district to formalize existing arrangements for winter supplies and to allow the district to buy equipment and vehicles from the township.

Staff said the district previously had relied on its own truck for parking‑lot snow removal but that truck broke down, and the cost to contract snow removal was high. The township said it intends to offer a 2020 International dump truck to the district for $40,000 — slightly below market value — so the vehicle remains in the community and available to service local needs.

The proposed agreement would codify a longstanding, informal practice in which the district buys road salt from the township and would permit future purchases of equipment or vehicles. Staff told council the district’s solicitor and auditor had earlier raised concerns about the district simply buying a vehicle directly, and formalizing a cooperative purchasing arrangement resolved that issue and would enable the truck sale to proceed if both parties approve.

Council members asked about the level of the discount and whether the district would redirect savings to athletic facilities; staff said the township weighs community benefit from keeping equipment locally against potential higher auction revenue outside the community and noted the district has previously covered other operational costs such as the school resource officer. Staff estimated the truck would likely fetch about $50,000–$55,000 at market but that the township chose a lower price to keep it locally.

No formal sale was recorded at this meeting; staff recommended council approve the cooperative purchasing agreement to allow the truck sale to the school district to proceed under the agreement’s terms.