The City of Lisbon approved the purchase of a new end loader and mini hoe.
The purchase of a new endloader for roughly $165,000 was approved in the budget process for the city, with the purchase coming from multiple accounts — $10,000 from Emergency management association’s capital improvement fund, $20,000 from the roads capital improvement fund, $50,000 from the roads fund, $50,000 from Local option sales and service tax, $15,000 from water, $10,000 from sewer and $15,000 from solid waste.
City administrator Brandon Siggins and public works director Travis Bagby had a bid from Caterpillar for $156,524 for the purchase of a new end loader and replacement of the damaged mini-hoe.
Caterpillar would provide $56,500 for the city’s current mini hoe and back hoe as trade ins and the city is still waiting to hear how much insurance would pay for the damaged mini hoe.
With the $156,524 for both pieces of equipment, Siggins and Bagby felt this was a very good deal, replacing two pieces of equipment for roughly what the city budgeted to replace one.
The City of Lisbon’s mini hoe was damaged in the storm March 31. The mini hoe had been used at the construction of the new pavilion at the sports complex and had been parked underneath the pavilion. City administrator Brandon Siggins said that when they visited with the insurance people to inspect damage to the pavilion, which collapsed in the storm, it originally looked like the mini hoe had escaped damage.
“We discovered when we were finally able to clean up the damaged pavilion that the track of the mini hoe was damaged,” Siggins said. “It also had glass windows damaged in front of the mini hoe.”
Council member Mike Williams voiced concerns with the amount of money the city is paying for the equipment.
Siggins pointed out that Williams did not voice those concerns when approving the purchase of the new end loader during the budget process in January. Further, the city was getting an end loader cheaper than the original price and replacing two pieces of equipment.
Council member Sara Nost moved to make the purchase, noting that the $156,524 would benefit public works department’s work in the community and get a return on investment compared to the repairs to the history center wall.
Council member Nathan Smith agreed, noting this would be a good return on investment, as well as speed up efficiency for the city crews.
Council member Rick Scott said his only issue was not seeing three competitive bids for the equipment in the council packet. Bagby did have three bids for the equipment, just hadn’t included all three in the packet. Bagby also had his crew available to test with both the John Deere and Caterpillar equipment in moving rocks, dirt and tree debris, and city crew liked using the Caterpillar equipment more.
Bagby also reminded that one of the reasons for going with an end loader was because of damage to the skid loader when setting up for Sauerkraut Days and moving concrete blocks.
“We shattered three windows in the skid loader trying to move those concrete blocks,” Bagby said. “As well, cleaning up after the derecho and other storms has proven that an end loader is more efficient, as the vehicle just needs to pivot to the dump truck, not run over debris and cause more damage to wheels.”
The approval to purchase the equipment came to a 4-1 vote, with Williams voting no, noting that spending has got to slow down for the city.
In discussion following the vote, Scott also noted that he has had issues with Bagby using his own equipment on city work.
“If you work for an organization, they should be providing you with the equipment,” Scott said. “I’ve always felt that should be something that is covered by the city.”
Lisbon purchasing new backhoe, mini-hoe
May 4, 2023
About the Contributor
Nathan Countryman, Editor
Nathan Countryman is the Editor of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.