Mason County approves $1.07 million compactor purchase, to be financed over five years

Mason County Fiscal Court voted to approve the purchase and financing of a specialized landfill compactor after landfill staff and the landfill committee briefed the court on equipment failure and regulatory requirements.

Landfill Director Travis Cooley told commissioners that Phase 6 operations and state rules require having two operational compactors; one machine failed and rebuilding the old unit could cost as much as $165,000 while its hours placed it near the end of its life cycle. Cooley and the committee recommended buying a new compactor on the state contract. County staff reported the financed amount on the state price contract is approximately $1,067,757, with a fixed-rate amortization example producing a monthly payment near $20,006.92 over five years (county staff noted interest rates and potential future refinancing as monitoring items).

Commissioners discussed warranty, service arrangements, possible lower-cost alternatives and recommended that the interlocal/landfill committee handle detailed oversight. A motion to authorize the purchase on the state contract and to finance the equipment through the Kentucky Association of Counties leasing trust carried on a roll-call vote; the judge executive and treasurer were authorized to execute financing documents.