Road department seeks new lowboy and retrofitted water truck; commissioners tentatively approve purchase plan

Brad Haynes, Crook County Road Department superintendent, told commissioners the county’s water truck suffered a total loss this fall and the department needs a replacement and a retrofit for the existing 2003 lowboy trailer. Brad described three options: buy a new 2025 International four-axle lowboy, retrofit the 2003 unit with a new tank, or lease equipment. He said used options lack warranties and required features (six spray heads, rear-draw hydraulic pump and an NST fitting to enable fire departments to draw water).

Brad recommended purchasing a new truck under state contract and retrofitting the existing lowboy; he said a vehicle is currently held in Portland and a new water-tank build would take about 180 days for delivery. Jamie from finance said a lease spreads cost but typically adds about $30,000 or more in interest/fees; finance recommended a purchase if reserves and contingency could cover the expense. Staff said capital-outlay dollars have been largely spent this year but contingency and reserves could be used with a simple budget resolution before June 30 if necessary.

Commissioners debated vendor options (Onco vs. Smith/AMCO), pump configuration (rear-draft vs. PTO side-draft) and whether to separate purchase of the truck and the tank into two consent items to allow immediate action on the chassis. One commissioner moved to purchase the truck from Peterson Equipment and the motion was seconded and approved. Staff were instructed to ensure the final consent-item language captures the vendor, options, and pricing so the item can appear on the Dec. 4 consent agenda.