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Council debates purchasing surplus sewer jet unit; permission to bid fails
Summary
After extended discussion about equipment age, staffing and costs, the Stevensville Town Council voted down a motion to seek bids to buy a surplus sewer jet unit; councilors raised concerns about timing, competing sewer-plant needs and the town's budget status.
A motion to seek permission to bid on a surplus sewer jet unit failed at the Stevensville Town Council meeting on July 16 after extended discussion about equipment age, staffing and competing capital needs.
Council member Barker moved to approve permission to bid on the sewer unit; Council member Brown seconded. The motion did not pass after all three council members on the dais voted "No." The council clerk announced "No. Motion fails 3 to 0" on the record.
Public works staff described the current equipment as 36 years old but operational. Steve, identified in the meeting as a public-works representative, said the existing truck "runs" but is old and that the surplus unit under consideration was newer (about 13 years old) and trailer-mounted. He listed operational advantages: no commercial driver’s license required to tow the trailer-mounted unit, a single engine for the jet pump rather than separate truck and pump motors, easier maneuvering and larger water capacity. "There's less chances of breakdown," Steve said, and noted the trailer unit is "a one-person operation." He also said the trailer unit held about 100 additional gallons of water.
Council members questioned the timing and budget priority. Council member Adams and others said the town has outstanding plant needs and an $18,000 quote for SCADA/computer work at the plant. One councilor said they were uncomfortable committing funds before the town's budget was finalized and noted prior stated problems at the sewer plant (intermittent computer issues to keep systems running).
Staff said the surplus unit had been offered in a City of Three Forks surplus sale reduced from $40,000 to $25,000, and that comparable units were advertised in market checks at roughly $115,000. Staff also said proceeds from surplusing the old truck could be recovered later.
Because the motion failed, the council gave no permission to bid and the town will not proceed with the purchase process at this time. Staff will continue to maintain the existing jet truck and return to council in a future budget context if the council wants to revisit the equipment purchase.
