GUNTER, Texas — Gunter city leaders on Oct. 17 confronted the fallout from a recent purchase of a semi truck and a camper-style command trailer that town staff say cannot be used as intended and may not be roadworthy.

The city paid approximately $22,000 for the truck and $5,000 for the trailer, Mayor (Speaker 5) said; council members and staff described multiple mechanical and cosmetic defects after inspecting the assets. Alan, speaking as a staff member who inspected the equipment, said the truck’s hood was broken and the trailer had a missing window and signs of mold. Alan also said the truck and trailer cannot be connected in their current condition and that the vinyl wrap is failing in many places.

“The trailer is just the walls,” Alan said, describing slide-outs that he would not recommend using and a generator that yielded only modest salvage value. Mayor (Speaker 5) said the truck had been insured and that the city paid an additional $2,000 purportedly to make the truck roadworthy, but council members reported it still cannot be driven to Gunter without repairs.

Council members questioned the procurement process. Several speakers noted the seller’s family connections to local contacts at the point of purchase; one council member said the situation was “freaking disgusting” and called for the seller to honor the $2,000 work that was supposed to make the truck roadworthy. Staff said they would press the seller for enforcement of that roadworthiness commitment and would seek local options to bring the vehicle here for assessment and possible salvage.

Options discussed included declaring the assets surplus and taking them to auction, selling parts, donating the trailer to a nonprofit or CDL training program if feasible, or finding a local buyer for parts. Council members and staff cautioned the vinyl wrap and interior damage would reduce resale value and require additional time and expense to refurbish.

Mayor (Speaker 5) said the fire and police departments did not request the purchase and do not plan operational use of the trailer as acquired. Council asked staff to continue negotiation with the seller, attempt to recover or enforce the roadworthiness work paid for, and report back with an action recommendation at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will attempt to recover the truck and trailer or bring them to Gunter for local assessment, pursue enforcement of the paid roadworthiness work, and provide an update to council.