Commission approves purchase of used 2024 Caterpillar compactor to replace aging landfill equipment

County landfill staff presented the commission with a recommendation to buy a used 2024 Caterpillar 826 compactor that the presenter said has about 1,900 hours and would replace aging equipment with heavy maintenance needs.

Megan, a county landfill staff member, said the county had budgeted to replace the compactor next year but an opportunity to buy a lightly used machine now would save roughly $395,000 compared with purchasing new next year. “We were saving around 395,000 if we go this year,” she said.

Commissioners discussed delivery timing (staff said the machine is in Wichita and could be delivered within about a week) and whether purchasing now would affect rates or the department budget; county staff said the purchase would be charged to the landfill enterprise fund and would not change property tax rates.

Commissioner Parks moved to approve the purchase “as presented by staff,” a motion that received a second; the commission then held a roll-call vote with each listed commissioner voting yes. The motion passed unanimously.

After the vote the chair thanked staff for pursuing a significant cost saving. The commission then moved on to the next agenda item.

Vote at a glance
- Motion: Approve purchase of a used 2024 Caterpillar 826 compactor as presented by staff
- Mover: Commissioner Parks
- Second: (recorded as second by another commissioner)
- Outcome: Approved (unanimous roll call)
- Tally: 5 yes, 0 no