Finance committee approves $252,000 Western Star snow truck to replace aging unit

The city’s finance committee voted to purchase a 2026 Western Star 47x plow truck for $252,000 to replace an older heavy-duty unit.

Public Works staff said three bids were solicited and the Western Star was the lowest-priced option at $252,000; an International bid was listed at $260,000 and a Volvo at $256,000. "This was the cheapest," Public Works staff member Kevin said, adding the Western Star is already on the lot and could be delivered immediately if approved.

Kevin described the truck as a heavier-duty vehicle for main plow routes and said it includes a side-mounted "wing plow" to push back drifting snow on country roads, a feature the city previously had to rely on townships to provide. He also noted the other two bid trucks have roughly 18-month build times.

Staff told the committee $300,000 had been appropriated to the line item this year; $200,000 had been appropriated the prior year but was not spent. Committee members raised packet documentation and delivery questions; staff said the additional bids were available at the meeting.

Alderman Biz Demas moved to approve the purchase, with a second recorded, and the clerk took a roll-call vote. The motion carried with the committee recording unanimous 'Aye' votes as entered into the record.

The purchase will replace one heavy-duty truck in the fleet; staff said the truck’s Cummins engine and Allison transmission are serviceable locally and parts can be obtained in Chicago.