Marshall County ratifies $1.33M truck lease and approves purchase of three Ford pickups

Marshall County commissioners ratified a previously signed Truck Centers, Inc. lease to secure build slots for heavy equipment and approved the county's purchase order to order three 3/4-ton Ford pickup trucks.

The board ratified a lease agreement valued at approximately $1,334,810 that had been signed after prior approval; commissioners said the ratification was necessary because the signature occurred after the council's prior approval threshold.

Highway Superintendent Jason presented comparative quotes for pickup trucks: Ford crew cab at $52,785 and Ford standard cab at $47,545; Dodge crew cab at $48,933 and Dodge standard cab at $46,619. Jason and commissioners recommended Ford trucks for heavier payload, better fuel economy and corrosion-resistant aluminum bodies; the board authorized ordering three Ford trucks and directed that both Jason and the board president sign purchase orders.

The board also approved ratification of the Truck Centers contract to preserve build slots for future procurement.