Marshall County backs pursuit of $1.588 million highway truck purchase amid funding uncertainty

The Marshall County Council on June 8 voted to support moving forward with a proposed purchase and lease package of highway vehicles totaling $1,588,500, after a presentation from Jason Peter, superintendent, B County Highway.

Jason Peter told the council the package includes three pickups, two new single-axle trucks, two new tandems and two used tandems, with a stated total purchase price of "1,588,500." He provided estimated financing numbers, including a 2027 estimated interest payment of $76,788 and an estimated 2028 first payment of $53,988. Peter said the county would face roughly $357,000 in annual payments over a five-year span as the purchase/lease schedule begins.

The motion to support pursuing the purchase agreement was moved and seconded; the council audible vote was in favor and the motion carried.

Council members and staff also discussed the county's capital (cap) fund position. Peter said the cap fund could have "close to a million dollars" left at year-end if budgeted revenues are realized, and that the county would not be asking for additional appropriations this year to start the lease.

During the same discussion, members raised concerns about a possible suspension of a sales tax that funds Motor Vehicle Highway (MVH) distributions. One council member summarized information suggesting reductions could begin in August and might reach 50%, and preliminary calculations presented at the meeting estimated a potential combined monthly revenue shortfall of roughly $250,000 across the affected local funds based on recent monthly averages. Council members said state backfill was unclear and that legislative action could be required to reallocate or replace the lost revenues.

Council members emphasized the county’s responsibility to maintain roads and public safety and said they would monitor state developments and reserves while proceeding with procurement steps to secure vehicle availability.

The council also asked the highway superintendent about operational items including recently completed striping work on Michigan Road, which members praised for improving visibility, and about vendor talks to transfer radio functions to cell phones; Peter said staff would begin vendor discussions the next day.

The purchase-support motion does not itself obligate funds immediately; council members described it as approval to proceed with the lease/purchase process and return with final contracts for formal appropriation and execution.