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LaSalle County committee approves $20,000 motion toward satellite survey system despite higher vendor quotes
Summary
County highway staff described benefits of replacing an aging two‑person total station with a satellite GNSS unit, citing faster surveys, state‑plane coordinates and easier integration with aerial maps; staff presented Leica and Trimble quotes but the committee approved a $20,000 purchase motion as budgeted.
LaSalle County highway staff told the committee they want to replace the county's aging two‑person total station with a single‑operator satellite (GNSS) total station, saying it would speed surveys and align county surveys with state plane coordinates.
Megan, a highway staff member, said the GNSS system “runs off satellites” and “allows us to be in state plane coordinates,” which would make aerial photography and contour data align more precisely with surveyed points. Staff described the present total station as a two‑person system that needs a clear line of sight and often requires trimming branches or additional setup. By contrast, the GNSS system would let one technician gather most shots and reduce field setup time.
Staff presented two vendor quotes: a Leica system at $28,723.76 and a Trimble system at $37,644.17. Megan said both systems are compatible with the county's current software and that the county would purchase three software licenses for field users. Committee members asked about signal loss in dense tree cover and battery life; Megan said crews could fall back on the older total station when satellite reception is poor and that the new system typically needs a midday battery rotation.
A committee member moved “for the $20,000” as the budgetary motion in the meeting record; members voted to approve that motion by voice. The motion as stated at the meeting was carried. The staff presentation noted the vendor quotes exceed the motion amount; staff described the motion as consistent with the budgeted line item and indicated they would reconcile vendor selection and final pricing with the budget and procurement rules.
Next steps: staff will finalize vendor selection and return with procurement paperwork or a contract award for the full board or the appropriate purchasing authority, consistent with county purchasing rules.
