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Franklin County approves purchase of five Kenworth dump trucks for up to $1.74 million
Summary
The commission approved buying five Kenworth end-dump trucks from Master Tech, citing fleet reliability, a seven-year warranty and a $91,000 savings tied to purchasing all five together.
Franklin County commissioners approved the purchase of five Kenworth end-dump trucks from Master Tech for $1,736,035 during the commission meeting in Ottawa.
Public works staff, led by Jeff Walton, told commissioners the county had budgeted money across 2024–2026 to replace aging end-dump trucks and had set aside funds from prior allocations. Walton said earlier replacement attempts failed because manufacturers could not build the trucks in time; obtaining five at once would place the trucks on a common equipment footprint and secure a vendor commitment to begin building immediately.
County staff said buying all five together produced two practical benefits: a uniform fleet that simplifies maintenance and an agreement from the vendor, negotiated with Dave Williams of Wichita, to provide a seven-year warranty the vendor will fund that yields about $91,000 in savings to the county. Staff said one truck may already be built and that deliveries would occur monthly until all five are received.
Officials discussed financing and timing. Staff said they can use funds from the 2025 budget and reallocate some 2026 funds to proceed now; they argued paying cash for equipment reduces future interest costs compared with financing. Technical questions about plows, spreaders and compatibility with current attachments were answered by public-works staff, who said the new trucks will be delivered with appropriate beds, plows and spreaders and that non-wear components would be covered by the extended warranty.
A motion to approve the purchase passed with the commissioners recorded as voting yes: Commissioner Wehmeyer; Commissioner Meador; Commissioner Dickinson; Commissioner Sotomayor; and Chair Harris. The motion text in the record was: “Make a motion to approve the purchase of the 5, Kenworth dump trucks from Master Tech for $1,736,035.”
Speakers listed in the record include Jeff Walton (public works presentation), Dave Williams (vendor, Wichita), Janet (county finance staff), Derek (management team) and Kirk (public-works technical staff).
