Ione Council approves $28,000 purchase of used Vermeer wood chipper for public works

The Island City Council on Feb. 18 approved the purchase of a used wood chipper for the city’s Public Works department, voting to acquire a 2017 Vermeer BC1000 XL for $28,000.

City Public Works staff said the chipper would help with public-safety work, tree trimming and storm response while reducing contractor costs. "The wood chipper Public Works is asking to purchase is a 2017 BC1000 XL with 898 hours on it," the presenter said, adding the machine has "top of the line safety features, including auto feeding technology that improves employee safety." He said the machine could outlast 5,000 hours with proper care.

Council members who spoke during the discussion said the equipment would reduce recurring contractor expenses for tree trimming and speed Public Works’ response to fallen trees and brush. Several council members also objected to using only park impact fees for the purchase and urged the item be considered in the next budget or funded from multiple sources. "If you're gonna primarily use it at the park, then maybe it gets some, but I hate to see our park fees being used for equipment," one council member said.

Gary Thomas, chair of the Creek (CREEC) Committee, told the council the chipper would be "a very useful tool in the Creek as well as the parks and everywhere else." Committee members earlier had highlighted creek maintenance and the potential to buy equipment that multiple departments and volunteer crews could share.

Council members moved and seconded a motion to approve the purchase. The motion carried, with the council recording one opposing vote. The staff report listed park impact fees as the funding source; several members said the city should consider splitting the cost across Public Works or the general fund in the upcoming budget.

Public Works staff said the city now pays outside contractors thousands of dollars for trimming and chipping work and that storing chipped material could lower future park maintenance costs. The presenter noted the cost of an equivalent new machine at about $73,000 and said the used unit represented a large discount.

Council discussion emphasized both the urgency of acquiring equipment when a specific unit is available and the need for fiscal prudence in choosing funding sources. After the vote, several council members said they wanted the purchase to be reflected in next year’s budget planning so the cost would be distributed appropriately.

The purchase is expected to allow Public Works to process limbs and brush on-site and stockpile chips for park pathways and erosion control, reducing trips to the city’s disposal site and contractor expenses.