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County engineer outlines dealer'led swap to replace six Mack trucks; commissioners seek written terms
Summary
St. Clair County staff described a dealer-proposed exchange that would swap six used county Mack trucks for near-new 2026 Mack trucks, with dealers asking the county to issue nominal $1 purchase orders to document the swaps; commissioners asked for written confirmations and put the item on Tuesday's agenda.
St. Clair County engineers told the commission they received a dealer offer to exchange six used Mack trucks for new 2026 Mack trucks that would come with new warranties and near-zero miles.
"They're replacing with 6 new ones," said Clay Phillips, the county engineer, describing a dealer plan tested by another county. "They determined that they can cut a PO for $1 for each truck." Phillips said the dealer's motivation appears to be moving over‑purchased inventory into circulation rather than ordering new builds.
Commissioners pressed staff for safeguards. Chair (speaker S1) asked for a written agreement after Phillips said he had only received verbal confirmations and photos of the trucks. "Make sure we get an email to that effect'something in writing," a commissioner said, noting that the county cannot take final action at a work session but can place the item on next week's agenda.
Officials discussed specification parity and accounting. Phillips said the new trucks would match current specs (16-foot steel dump bodies, tri-axle Mack chassis) and come with black beds while the county's current beds are red, and that dealers had equipped the trucks with pintle hitches and spreader bars. Commissioners asked staff to ensure the replacement trucks have identical specs before approving any procurement documentation.
The county did not vote. Staff said the item will appear on the commission's consent or regular agenda for a formal vote on Tuesday, and that they would include written dealer documentation and recommended contract language before the meeting.
Next step: staff will obtain written confirmations from the dealership and add the truck-swap item to Tuesday's meeting packet for a formal motion and vote.
