Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Equipment Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ranlo approves purchase of used bucket truck from fund balance for public‑works needs
Summary
The Ranlo board approved buying a used bucket truck (about $20,000) using the Powellville fund balance to reduce reliance on neighboring towns' equipment for lights and maintenance; seller training for employees was included and staff said funding will not come from property‑tax revenues.
The Ranlo Board of Commissioners approved procurement of a used bucket truck July 10, using money from the Powellville fund balance rather than the town's general ad‑valorem operating budget.
Staff said the truck—priced at about $20,000—would support practical needs such as installing holiday decorations, accessing building heights, and avoiding dependency on a neighboring town’s equipment. A staff member told commissioners the Powellville fund balance currently holds roughly $890,000 and that the purchase could be financed from that non‑ad‑valorem fund. "It wouldn't need to come from our general operating budget this year," a staff member said.
Commissioners emphasized safety: the seller will provide training, addressing gaps created when the town previously borrowed a neighboring jurisdiction's truck without documented training. "If the employee gets in and swings the bucket around... we have no documentation where they've been trained to use the bucket truck," a commissioner said, urging proper training and safeguards.
A motion to purchase the bucket truck was made, seconded and approved by the full board.
Action items: public works to accept the vehicle, complete required employee training provided by the seller, and update operational procedures for bucket‑truck use and maintenance.
