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Albany County approves purchase of three Western Star tandem trucks to refresh road fleet
Summary
The board authorized a county-funded purchase of three Western Star tandem-axle truck cabs and chassis from Tracy Road Equipment and discussed scrapping two older trucks and potentially auctioning a 2015 vehicle. Commissioners questioned vehicle life expectancy and procurement sourcing from an Onondaga County contract.
Albany County commissioners unanimously approved the county-funded purchase of three Western Star tandem-axle truck cabs and chassis from Tracy Road Equipment as part of the county’s capital replacement plan.
A presenter told the board the purchase is part of the capital plan and is 100% county-funded; two older trucks (a 2007 and a 2010) will be scrapped and a 2015 model may be auctioned. In describing the fleet need, the presenter said the 2007 and 2010 models are “very old” and that the county expects heavy maintenance on older trucks.
Commissioners asked whether the purchased chassis include axle packages and whether the add‑on equipment is purchased separately; staff explained the cab and chassis are purchased now and that the equipment packages (dump bodies, plows, spreaders) are procured as separate packages that will later be mounted. The board also noted the procurement levered an Onondaga County contract for pricing.
Commissioners and staff discussed useful life; one exchange estimated a typical service life of “10 to 15 years” for this type of vehicle, while acknowledging variability by usage and maintenance. A motion to approve the purchase was made, seconded and carried unanimously.
What was decided: the county will buy three new tandem cabs and chassis from Tracy Road Equipment, scrap two end-of-life vehicles and explore auction options for another unit, advancing fleet replacement under the capital plan.
