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Muncie to lease forestry equipment using $1.8M federal grant, board approves
Summary
The board authorized leasing a Freightliner forestry truck, Vermeer chipper and stump grinder under a four-year lease costing $274,434, using funds from a $1.8 million USDA/U.S. Forest Service grant that also pays staffing and tree-planting efforts.
The Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety on April 29 authorized staff to lease forestry equipment under a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture/U.S. Forest Service.
Adam, introduced as the city engineer, told the board the grant is intended to support forestry services within city limits, including removal of invasive species, treatment of diseased or damaged trees, and tree planting. "Part of that grant was allowing us to lease capital equipment," Adam said. He described a four-year lease for a Freightliner forestry truck with a chipper bed and telescopic boom, a Vermeer chipper and a Vermeer stump grinder with a total four-year lease price of $274,434.
Adam said the grant also covers staffing and workforce development; the city has hired an arborist and is training additional staff who will be certified to perform forestry work. He said the grant includes funds for planting trees on public property, an activity public works does not usually perform.
On motion the board authorized the lease and associated actions. The board recorded no dissent in the voice vote.
Staff will proceed under the terms of the grant and the city's purchasing agreements with the listed vendors.
