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Council approves $121,000 backhoe purchase, opts to sell old unit privately
Summary
Monroe City authorized purchase of a Wheeler backhoe for $121,000 to replace a 20-year-old machine, and instructed staff to sell the existing unit privately rather than accept a $30,000 trade-in. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.
The Monroe City Council authorized the purchase of a replacement backhoe from Wheeler Machinery for $121,000 at its July 14 meeting and directed staff to sell the existing unit privately rather than accept a $30,000 trade-in. Public Works Director John Draper said the current machine is about 20 years old and that a brand-new equivalent would cost roughly $178,000. The Wheeler unit has fewer hours and includes a thumb attachment; retrofitting the current machine for a thumb would cost about $10,000.
Councilmember Ryan Johnson moved to purchase the newer backhoe from Wheeler for $121,000 and to sell the existing backhoe privately; Councilmember Perry Payne seconded. The motion carried 4-0. Councilmembers discussed potential proceeds if sold privately (estimated closer to $40,000) versus the trade-in offer of $30,000. Funding for equipment purchases is available in the 2026–2027 capital budget.
