Howard County approves additional equipment appropriation, orders 2027 Freightliner plow truck

Howard County commissioners on Monday approved additional appropriations to the highway department’s 2026 equipment budget and authorized purchase of a 2027 Freightliner single‑axle plow truck.

Amber Dolan, speaking for the highway department, told commissioners that three items ordered in 2025 did not arrive until 2026 and that some 2025 budgeted funds had rolled into 2026. She said the department’s baseline 2026 appropriation was $305,000 but requested an additional appropriation — including “an additional almost $140,000” — to cover delayed purchases and a new truck.

“So today’s request is I would like to request, for the purchase of a 2027 Freightliner single axle plow truck,” Dolan said. She gave the truck price as $190,100 and said delivery would likely occur in the third or fourth quarter if the county gave the go‑ahead.

Commissioners moved, seconded and voted in favor of the purchase and appropriation. The board framed the buy as part of an ongoing truck‑replacement program intended to retire older vehicles and improve departmental readiness.

The authorization covers the truck purchase and leaves room for “a little bit of miscellaneous purchasing” the department said it may need in 2026. No formal financing change beyond the appropriation was stated during the meeting. Commissioners did not record an itemized financing breakdown in the public discussion beyond the amounts Dolan cited.

The next steps are for county administrative staff to complete procurement and arrange payment; the department expects delivery during late 2026 if procurement proceeds on schedule.