Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County approves early purchase of crack-seal material and a new plow truck
Summary
The board approved an early purchase of crack-seal material to capture a seasonal discount and authorized purchase of a 2026 plow truck (Freightliner chassis with body) for $294,550, with commissioners discussing trade-in, warranties and budget timing.
The Pipestone County Board of Commissioners approved two highway department procurement items Nov. 25: an early purchase of crack-seal material from Midstates to secure a pre-season discount, and the purchase of a 2026 plow truck (Freightliner chassis with a plow/body supplier) for a total of $294,550.
Highway engineer Nick Bergman told the board ordering bulk boxed crack-seal material before January 30 would yield a price break for 2026 work and that the material stores well. "We found out that if we order it... before January 30, we can get a little bit of a discount," Bergman said. Commissioners approved the Midstates purchase by voice vote.
Bergman also presented options for a new plow truck as a 2026 budget item. He outlined that the county budgets for portions of fleet purchases across fiscal years, described warranty terms (seven years/250,000 miles for the suggested chassis) and explained procurement involves buying a chassis and contracting separately for the plow body. He said the two vendor quotes for the plow body (Jcraft and Towmaster) differed in price and lead time; the board discussed trade-in values, hours versus miles as fleet metrics and potential budget adjustments across 2025–26 if the purchase proceeds.
A commissioner moved to approve the Freightliner chassis and chosen body package for $294,550; the motion carried by voice vote. Bergman said he would adjust departmental budgets to reflect the purchase and planned a future motor-grader purchase in 2026.
The actions authorized today let highway staff proceed with ordering materials and initiating chassis/body purchases; staff will report back with contract paperwork and any required budget amendments.
