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Minnehaha County approves purchases of new county vehicles, citing budgeted replacements
Summary
The commission authorized a 2026 Chevy Equinox for the Equalization Department and two MAC 6x6 chassis for the Highway Department — purchases were budgeted, intended to replace older vehicles, and structured to reuse sander bodies to save costs.
The Minnehaha County Commission on Oct. 21 approved two equipment purchases the county said were already budgeted: a 2026 Chevy Equinox for the Equalization Department and two MAC GR 66 6x6 chassis for the Highway Department.
Chris Lulla, Equalization Director, told commissioners the Equinox was included in the department’s 2026 budget and will replace a 2008 Chevy Impala. “This vehicle is one that we requested in our 2026 budget that you approved,” Lulla said, and noted it could take “90 to a hundred and 50 days” to arrive once ordered. The board authorized the director to sign a purchase order with Lam Motors under South Dakota state contract no. 17965.
The Highway Department asked for authorization to buy two MAC GR 66 6x6 chassis at $212,261 each from TransSource Truck under state contract no. 032824. Jacob Morris, who represented the Highway Department, said the trucks are budgeted for 2025 and will replace 2002 and 2005 models. “So the 2 team leads will end up operating these trucks and using those as their daily drivers…during snow removal conditions,” Morris said. To reduce costs, Morris said the department will transfer existing sander bodies and b-plows from other trucks rather than buying new sander bodies.
Commissioners approved both items by voice and roll-call votes. During discussion, commissioners asked about surplus plans for the replaced vehicles; Morris said older trucks would be auctioned on PurpleWave and estimated resale values around $30,000 per truck.
The purchases were presented as replacements for aging equipment and as steps intended to keep seasonal operations — particularly winter road maintenance — adequately staffed and equipped. The meeting record shows both motions carried with unanimous or otherwise affirmative roll-call results recorded at the meeting.
What happens next: purchase orders will be executed and deliveries scheduled; surplus trucks will be placed for auction.
