Huron approves $283K equipment purchase and moves forward on water-main projects

The Huron City Commission on Dec. 8 approved a $283,000 quote for a 2026 Leeboy Maximizer asphalt distributor and authorized several change orders and a progress payment for ongoing water-main and street-reconstruction projects.

City engineer Brett Runge told the commission the RDO Equipment Company quote for the distributor was $283,198 (Runge also referenced a more precise figure, $283,001.98) and that $285,000 had been budgeted for the purchase. Runge said the city aimed to finalize the purchase before an anticipated price increase of roughly 12–15% in the new year. The commission approved the acquisition by roll-call vote.

Runge also presented final change order number 3 for the 4th Street Reconstruction (Midland Contracting), noting a contract decrease of $24,563 and a final payment request of $3,188.86. He said the contractor committed to performing any reseating work under warranty next spring and that the project remains under budget despite a $20,000 change order added to reshape a site feature. The commission voted to approve closing out the project and the payment.

On the city’s water-main replacement work, Runge explained a $16,670 change order to Manning Excavating Inc. arising from the need for a deeper bore under Highway 14 to avoid boulders, resetting storm-sewer components, and unexpected sections of AC pipe. The commission approved the change order and authorized the mayor to sign.

The commission also approved pay request number 8 to Manning Construction for $419,362 as a progress payment on a separate water-main contract; Runge said the project is about 96% complete with approximately $147,000 in work remaining to finish next spring. He characterized the payment as a standard progress draw rather than a final closeout.

The commission approved all motions by roll-call votes.