Board moves $310,000 budgeted truck purchase to equipment reserve for tandem truck

The highway department requested changing its planned equipment purchase: instead of the previously budgeted single-axle truck, staff argued a tandem (double-axle) dump truck better meets departmental needs. The board voted to remove the $310,000 budgeted amount from the DA account and place it in an equipment reserve for a tandem truck purchase.

Board members discussed logistics: there are no available trucks to order this year so an encumbrance or reserve is required; the tandem is expected to cost roughly $60,000 more than the single-axle unit, and the additional funds would be addressed in next year’s budget or through fund balance. The motion to remove the budgeted amount and create the equipment reserve carried on voice vote.