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Denison debates renting vs. buying pavement equipment after mastic tests
Summary
Public works staff described recent tests of a mastic patching machine and discussed renting versus purchasing a multipurpose mastic/crack-sealing machine. Council asked for cost calculations and a more comprehensive daily work log before considering a capital purchase.
Public Works Director Rod told the Denison City Council the department has been testing mastic patching (using a rented Durapatcher) and evaluating whether to rent again or trade in the current equipment for a mastic machine that could also be fitted for crack sealing.
Rod said the city and county previously split a rental cost (about $4,000 for a two-week rental), and described manpower requirements—usually four or five people—to operate the unit. He estimated a new mastic-capable machine could be in the $80,000 range, plus roughly $3,000–$5,000 to add an attachment to allow crack sealing. Rod said the mastic held up in testing but recommended further observation through a hot-weather season before committing to purchase.
Council members pressed for better documentation of day-to-day work in the department’s Dropbox reports and asked staff to return with a calculation comparing continuing to rent, renting again for a longer trial, or purchasing and retrofitting a machine (including potential trade-in of the Durapatcher). One councilmember suggested the county might share rental costs again.
No purchase was approved. Council directed staff to prepare cost comparisons, material inventories, and a plan for reporting daily work so the council can judge the return on any equipment purchase.
