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Committee approves $116,977 backhoe purchase after transport accident; city cites driver error
Summary
The finance committee approved Resolution 25-45 to purchase a New Holland backhoe for $116,977 from Green's Equipment Group. City staff said the previous backhoe was totaled in a transport accident described as driver error; insurance proceeds of roughly $50,000 and prior budget moves will cover the replacement.
The City of Charleston Finance Committee unanimously approved Resolution 25-45 on May 19 to purchase a New Holland backhoe from Green's Equipment Group for the refuse department at a cost of $116,977.
Mr. Wood described the circumstances prompting the purchase: the prior backhoe was involved in a transport accident and was totaled. He said the total loss was calculated at about $100,000; after the city's insurance deductible of $50,000, the city received approximately $50,000 from the insurer. Mr. Wood added that the budget amendment approved earlier in the meeting—shifting roughly $67,000—combined with the insurance proceeds will allow the city to buy the replacement.
Committee members asked for details about the transport accident. A city representative identified in the transcript as Miss Westbrook said the backhoe was being hauled on a trailer to a vendor in Cross Lanes when the vehicle struck an overpass because the driver lacked sufficient clearance. She described the incident as avoidable and attributed it to driver error. City engineering staff contacted the Department of Highways (DOH) for inspection; Miss Westbrook said DOH inspected the overpass and reported no damage to the overpass, no other vehicles were involved, and no third-party claims were filed.
The committee moved the resolution and approved it by voice vote.
Why it matters: Replacing heavy equipment keeps refuse operations on schedule; the explanation of driver error and the insurance recovery are material to fiscal accountability and fleet-management oversight.
Next steps: Procurement to proceed with Green's Equipment Group; finance staff will record the insurance proceeds and budget transfers that fund the purchase.
