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Franklin County approves $202,000 backhoe purchase for transfer station; solid-waste fund to cover cost
Summary
Commissioners approved buying a 2025 CAT 420 backhoe from Foley Equipment for $202,000, to be paid from the self-funded solid-waste special caps fund; staff said the purchase addresses rising tonnage and reliability issues with older equipment.
Franklin County commissioners approved the purchase of a 2025 CAT 420 backhoe for use at the county transfer station and accepted a $10,000 trade-in allowance for the older 2010 JCB backhoe.
Peg, the county's solid-waste representative, told the board the 2010 backup machine had been off-site for repairs more months than it was in the yard and that the county's daily-use backhoe has about 3,800 hours, while the older backup has more than 12,400 hours. Peg said the department's fourth-quarter 2025 tonnage rose to roughly three times earlier quarters, increasing the need for reliable equipment. "With that type of increase, we definitely have to have a good backup machine," she said.
The recommended purchase from Foley Equipment — including an "ultimate service package" and the trade-in allowance — was presented at a total cost of $202,000. County staff said funds will come from the solid-waste special-caps fund, a self-funded department account, and not from general property-tax revenue. A motion to approve the purchase carried on recorded voice approval.
Why it matters: the transfer station's rising tonnage and aging equipment increased operational risk; the purchase aims to reduce downtime and service interruptions without drawing on the county general fund.
What happens next: procurement staff will finalize the purchase and implement a plan to move the current daily-use backhoe into the backup role and place the new machine into daily service.
