The Plainview City Council approved a purchase authorization for a 2025 Ford F-450 dump truck for the public-works department.

Director of Public Works Weems told the council the purchase is part of the city's equipment replacement fund and will be procured through the TIPS cooperative from Sames Bastrop Ford for $83,828. Weems said the price includes the dump bed, the truck and a "snow plow ready package for this vehicle." The council approved the purchase following a motion and second; the transcript shows the vote was announced as "we have a vote of 74."

Budget and timing: Weems said $80,000 had been set aside for the vehicle and that the purchase is $3,828 over the budgeted amount; he explained the equipment replacement fund spreads the operating cost across a multi-year period. When asked about delivery, staff said the vehicle will be built at the Ford factory and that delivery will take a couple of months; an exact delivery date was not provided.

Why it matters: the replacement is part of routine fleet maintenance. Weems said the vehicle will replace a 2008 Chevrolet dump truck and that preventive-maintenance and interior wear drove the replacement decision. Council members noted they consider such requests needs-based rather than discretionary spending.

The council voted to approve the purchase and authorized staff to proceed with the procurement through the cooperative.