Council hears first reading of ordinance to buy snow truck and plow; item deferred

The Defiance City Council heard a first reading on Feb. 3 of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of a new truck and plow for snow-removal operations, but the council agreed to defer final action until a future meeting.

A clerk read the ordinance caption, which described authorization to purchase “a new truck and a plow for snow removal operations and declaring emergency.” Councilmember Mack said the city would like to order a truck now because lead times mean a vehicle ordered this year would likely not be delivered until 2027. He said the street superintendent was available to answer technical questions about the fleet.

Council discussion focused on the condition of the existing truck involved in an accident and whether parts or the plow could be salvaged. Councilmember Hancock asked whether the damaged vehicle would be sold; staff said the plow would be kept while the damaged truck’s chassis would be disposed of through the city’s surplus process. Council members also noted a roughly 60-day timeline referenced for replacement availability or repairs.

After discussion, a councilmember moved to let the ordinance “lie” until the next meeting; Miss Kaufman seconded the motion and the council voted in favor. The president stated, “We will let this one lie and pick it up next time,” and the ordinance was deferred for further consideration.

The council did not take a final vote on the ordinance. The council president said staff would continue to pursue quotes and logistics for ordering and delivery and would return the item to the agenda at a later date.