Committee approves paying tariffs to Navistar and delays warranty start on partially delivered plow trucks

Washington County's Public Works Committee voted March 3 to authorize payment to a truck vendor for chassis already in the vendor's possession, including tariff charges, and to ask that warranty start dates be delayed until the missing plow boxes are installed.

The committee discussed a complex procurement split: the county ordered truck chassis from Navistar and separately purchased boxes and plows from a different vendor. Staff said the vendor invoiced $3,200 in tariffs per truck and that each chassis costs about $169,184. Committee members debated whether the county is legally required to pay tariffs and how to cover a roughly $12,000 overrun on the order. "It is $3,200 for each truck. Each truck costs 169,184," a department official said during the meeting.

Opponents raised two main concerns: losing warranty time if trucks sit in vendor yards and the question of whether municipalities are exempt from federal import tariffs. After discussion about budget sources and whether the rotary fund could cover the tariff amount, a supervisor moved to pay the vendor now and to request the vendor not start warranties until the trucks return with the installed boxes and plows. The motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: County roads rely on seasonal equipment, and extended delivery delays can reduce useful warranty coverage and increase net costs. By paying the chassis invoices now and requesting delayed warranty start, officials said they aim to make the vendor whole while preserving operational protections for the county.

Next steps: Staff said they will appropriate funds as needed (likely from the rotary fund balance), finalize the payment, and follow up with legal/finance to confirm accounting and contract language. The committee also asked staff to explore whether any future tariff exposure can be addressed in contract terms or piggyback agreements.

Provenance: Topic began when staff introduced truck/PO issues and tariffs and concluded after the motion to pay the vendor and delay warranty start was approved (discussion spans SEG 192–SEG 449).