Council discusses inspecting and possibly buying a used plow/sander truck; budget and inspection plan set

Council members discussed a used plow/sander truck offered for sale in Lamar, Iowa, priced at $25,000, and moved to authorize an inspection and potential purchase contingent on the inspection outcome.

Staff described the truck’s stainless-steel sander bin, two-way plow and likely resale value for the town’s current truck. Members raised concerns about paint and some rust, the condition of seats and hydraulics, and the need to have someone with truck expertise inspect and test-drive the vehicle rather than making a purchase sight unseen. Council set a negotiation ceiling (members referenced $25,000 as the asking price and suggested room for negotiation) and discussed selling the existing truck as surplus after replacement.

The clerk noted the streets fund had roughly $33,000 remaining after bills, which would leave limited flexibility for purchases. Members asked staff to arrange a physical inspection and, if the truck passed inspection, to authorize purchase up to the agreed threshold. At the meeting, a motion was made to send representatives to inspect the truck and to allow purchase if the inspection was satisfactory; the transcript does not record a final purchase vote at this meeting.

Separately, staff confirmed snow blades and blower equipment are ready, noted some issues with a heater and a sander chain on an existing tandem truck, and recommended making repairs if needed to avoid midseason failures.