Seneca council votes to delay mini-excavator purchase until next spring

The Seneca City Council on Aug. 11, 2020 voted to delay a planned purchase of a mini-excavator until next spring, after councilors split on whether to proceed during ongoing pandemic-related budget uncertainty.

Staff presented two quotes for a Sany mini-excavator, including a demo unit with about 35 hours of use that was approximately $3,000 cheaper than a new model. Both machines offered 0% financing. City Manager Amanda Born explained the payment plan staff envisioned: "around $10,000 a year," split across the Water, Sewer, Road, Transfer Station and General funds (about $2,000 per fund). She cautioned, "it is budgeted for in this year's budget, but can't say for certain how the actual funds will end up." Maintenance needs cited included irrigation repairs at City Park and planned sewer-line work next summer.

Councilor Melissa Pettyjohn moved to wait until next spring to decide; Councilor Lilly Foster seconded. Councilors Pettyjohn and Foster voted in favor; Councilors Sue Holliday and Barb Northington voted opposed. With a 2-2 split, Mayor Brad Smith cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the motion to delay. The motion to postpone the purchase passed. Councilors asked staff to monitor fund balances and return with updated budget information before the spring decision.

The council also reviewed a contract clause in one vendor quote that would waive the city's right to cancel future years' financing commitments; staff noted that signing such a document would bind the city in future fiscal years even if budgets changed.