Eagle Lake council approves $53,848.90 engine replacement for 2014 plow truck

The Eagle Lake City Council on Jan. 22 approved replacing the engine in a 2014 International plow truck at a cost of $53,848.90, to be paid from Street Department capital outlay funds. Council Member Beth Rohrich moved the measure and Council Member Garrett Steinberg seconded; the motion carried.

Mayor John Whitington asked Public Works Director Andrew Hartman to summarize the problem. Hartman said the truck experienced engine failure on Jan. 15 while en route to pick up sand, and that Affordable Towing transported the vehicle to North Central International for inspection. Updated estimates obtained after the meeting packet showed a rebuild would cost $53,734.05 while replacing the engine would cost $53,848.90.

Council Member Nick Lewis asked about vehicle hours and maintenance. Hartman said he did not have hours on hand, that Carriage Repair performs DOT inspections, and that the truck’s last oil change was recorded in October 2023. He told the council the oil contained coolant when the truck arrived at North Central and said North Central’s diagnosis indicated an unforeseen mechanical failure — likely a cylinder head, head gasket, or a dropped cylinder liner — not a maintenance omission.

City Administrator Jennifer Bromeland told the council the Street Department has capital outlay funds set aside for equipment replacement and that the department would adjust its replacement schedule and priorities to cover the unplanned expense. Hartman said the truck was scheduled for replacement in 2034 and that the new engine should be installed and ready within the week.

The council approved the expenditure and adjourned the special meeting at 8:29 a.m.