Mount Pleasant council approves three equipment purchases after debate over truck, radios and tractor

Mount Pleasant City Council on July 22 approved three equipment purchases: a Ford F-350 crew cab for the power department, a set of handheld radios for emergency services and a 70-horsepower tractor for the arena and public works department.

Council members said the power department’s aging truck — described at the meeting as having "well over 100,000 miles" — has become less reliable and staff recommended buying a new diesel F-350. Staff said the diesel bid was only about $6,000 more than the gasoline alternative and that a state bid provided about $7,000 in savings from list price. The council approved requisition 71420250650 to Ken Garf Ford for $64,348.55.

Council also approved a requisition to Commercial Business Radio LLC for $37,475 to replace roughly 15 handheld radios. Staff told the council that many of the department’s radios are failing, parts and batteries are no longer available, and replacements should last 15–20 years. The radios are the style needed for both wildland and structural operations, staff said.

Separately, the council approved purchase of a 70-horsepower tractor from Hermanson’s Equipment for $44,000 for arena and public works use. Staff said buying the tractor will save recurring rental costs and allow coordinated scheduling between city events and arena needs.

Council debate touched on whether to buy new or used equipment. One councilmember suggested pursuing used options to save money; staff said equivalent used trucks with comparable mileage and equipment would likely cost as much or more than the state-bid new vehicle and that warranties and reliability factored into the recommendation. Staff also said the power department plans to sell the older truck to recoup some cost, though no estimate of resale value was provided.

During the truck discussion, councilmembers also reviewed the status of the city’s small hydro units. Staff reported the hydro project has had components installed but is not fully commissioned; they said contractors will install a controller that will allow partial operation and that the city intends to budget annually to fully rebuild the system’s PLC (control) components.

All three requisitions were moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by roll call. The meeting record shows motions and roll-call votes, but individual vote counts and some names were not fully captured in the transcript.