Polk County approves sale of fire‑damaged landfill compactor to Fargo for $15,000

The Polk County Board approved a request to sell a fire-damaged landfill compactor (the county’s older Beaumont-style unit that burned in September 2022) to the city of Fargo for $15,000.

Presenter (S4) said the machine is largely inoperable after an engine fire, and most of its remaining value is in parts and wheels. The presenter told the board that insurance had covered part of the machine’s loss in a prior payout and that moving the 60,000‑pound unit can be costly; the buyer (city of Fargo) indicated it would pick up the machine and has interest in parts for their older Beaumont compactor.

Commissioners discussed prior experience moving similar equipment and noted that the scrap value would not cover transport costs in some cases; the board moved and voted to approve the sale.

Why it matters: disposing of damaged capital equipment reduces storage and maintenance burden and may return some funds to the county budget. The transcript records approval; it does not record a full named roll-call tally.