ST. PAUL – During the Feb. 28 County of St. Paul Public Works meeting, council was presented with an option to buy new snowplow/gravel trucks that could be purchased right away, as opposed to waiting for ordered trucks that would take two to three years to be delivered.
According to the attached agenda, due to delays on truck availability and long waiting periods for builds, Public Works staff have been searching and found 2023 Mack trucks available and ready to go right away.
One truck costs $494,750 but does not come with a gravel box, which needs to be purchased separately for $30,000. The seller, Brandt Truck Rigging and Trailer, said it would honour the price until March 1, 2023, according to the agenda.
Council was advised of other options, including another Mack truck with a base price of $411,000, which also requires the purchase of a separate gravel box.
Coun. Dale Hedrick asked if Public Works plans to replace a truck with the purchase of a new truck.
Jack Vanderberg, manager of the County’s shop and parts, said replacement is not preferable due to breakdowns and repairs that could happen, and a spare is always maintained. He also noted that often replacement parts on the older trucks can be costly.
Vanderberg also noted that the County’s fleet of plow trucks had a 20 to 25 per cent downtime last year due to breakdown. “They’re just getting tired,” he said.
"I don’t think the supply chain is going to change either,” added Vanderberg, referring to the long wait periods for trucks. He estimated the “tight supply” will continue for the next five or 10 years. “So, we’re trying to be proactive.”
According to Vanderberg, the County bought two plow trucks back in 2015, two in 2017, and two in 2019, which are now considered older trucks by industry standard. He estimates the trucks could be used for another three or four years.
Other options presented to County council would be to order a 2023 Mack G64R 455HP from Tenco Inc., estimated at $463,579.44, with an expected fall 2023 delivery. It has the same function as the other truck.
After more discussion, County council made a motion to purchase the 2023 Mack snowplow truck/sander and gravel box estimated at $524,750, ensuring the truck will be used in the summer for County gravel operations. However, that motion was defeated.
A motion to order a 2023 Mack G64R 455HP was also made. That motion was carried.
