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Highway director proposes trimming heavy-equipment fleet; will present disposal list next meeting
Summary
Richland County highway staff reviewed a full inventory of heavy equipment, recommended disposing of an underused D8 dozer, and will return with a proposed list of units to retire or retain.
Highway Department staff presented a full inventory of the county’s heavy equipment and recommended pruning low‑use items to reduce depreciation and operating costs.
Staff distributed a detailed inventory packet showing hours charged, annual operating costs and depreciation estimates for major pieces of equipment. The presenter recommended disposing of a Case D8 dozer that “primarily sits in a horse barn” at an old sand pit and is used rarely. The presenter said the county no longer owns most loaders and is leasing some equipment; the department is down one grader and is evaluating whether to retain two graders, one grader, or none depending on need.
“I’m gonna pass around a pack of piece of information. This is our complete inventory list of equipment,” the presenter said while handing out the inventory packet. Committee members asked the presenter to return next meeting with a prioritized list of what the department can drop and what it must retain. One commissioner emphasized that renting equipment for infrequent projects may be preferable to owning expensive machinery that sits idle.
The inventory discussion also covered usage patterns for excavators, rollers, skid steers and plow trucks, and noted depreciation is calculated on a state schedule over a 10‑year basis. Staff said heavy equipment that sits unused can still generate depreciation expenses that negatively affect departmental equity. The presenter agreed to bring a specific list of recommended disposals or retained machines to the committee’s next meeting for committee direction.
