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Commission approves $20,000 to Central Hampshire PSD toward mini excavator
Summary
Central Hampshire Public Service District asked the commission for $20,000 as a down payment on an $85,000 mini excavator to reduce rental costs and speed repairs; commissioners approved the award and requested a simple MOU to document occasional county use.
Pumpkin Oates, treasurer and board member for Central Hampshire Public Service District, asked the commission for $20,000 as a down payment to purchase a mini excavator. "We're here today to ask the county for $20,000 as a down payment for a mini excavator," Oates said, explaining that leasing and rentals have averaged about $1,000 per month and owning the machine would save money and improve response times.
David Qualls, PSD chairman, and Derek Staggs, general manager, outlined how owning the excavator would let the PSD find and repair leaks faster and perform more work in house. Qualls described a recent incident where rental availability delayed a repair from early morning to mid‑morning, lengthening outages. The PSD provided quotes (CAT and John Deere) and described a lease‑to‑own arrangement with a four‑year warranty for government purchasers.
Commissioners discussed funding and a proposed memorandum of understanding to allow occasional county maintenance use of the machine. President Englinger supported the request and suggested a simple MOU so future boards cannot change terms without notice. Commissioners moved and approved awarding $20,000 to Central Hampshire PSD by voice vote.
Why it matters: The grant would reduce PSD operating costs, improve response times for water outages, and potentially allow county maintenance crews occasional use under an MOU.
Next steps: Clerk and PSD will draft a simple MOU documenting occasional county maintenance access; PSD will proceed with financing and acquisition.
