County purchases new semi to haul refuse

By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Marion County Commission approved a second large purchase at Monday’s meeting.

The commissioners voted unanimously to purchase a 2009 International semi. The semi will be used to haul solid waste from the transfer station to a landfill.

Transfer station manager Rollin Schmidt presented bids for five used and two new.

Kevin Robinson of Robinson Trucking of Florence submitted a bid for a 1992 International for $8,000. Robinson currently holds the contract to haul solid waste for the county.

Ryder Truck Rental and Leasing of Hutchinson submitted a bid of $26,000 for a 2000 Freightliner and a bid of $28,000 for a 2001 Freightliner.

Roberts Truck Sales of Wichita submitted a bid of $53,500 for a 2006 International and a $80,588.98 bid for a 2009 International.

Williams Service of Florence, submitted bids of $54,000 for a 2004 International and $82,600 for a 2009 International.

Most of the used trucks had 300,000-400,000 miles. Robinson’s had significantly more. A new truck can be expected to last 800,000-900,000 miles before needing an engine overhaul, Schmidt said. He estimated the county would drive the truck 52,000 miles a year.

Commissioner Randy Dallke said he didn’t like the high prices of the new trucks, but it was a long-term investment on the county’s part.

“I want to get a truck that will go down the road,” Dallke said.

The commissioners agreed a new truck would better serve the county and decided a purchase this large ought to be made in the county.

The commission unanimously voted to purchase the truck from Williams Service for $82,600. The expense will be paid from the transfer station’s capital outlay budget.

Schmidt said the truck should be ready in about six weeks. The county is required to give Robinson 60 days notice to end his contract for hauling solid waste.

In other business:

• The commission approved $5,500 to help Hillsboro Fire Department purchase two pieces of extrication equipment. Hillsboro Fire Chief Ben Steketee said the department had no extrication equipment. The department will purchase a hand-operated and a larger, more powerful pieces of equipment. Steketee said the cost for the two used pieces of equipment was $10,991. The larger one would cost around $25,000 new. The equipment will be put on Brush 4, the first truck to respond to any incident.
• A conditional use permit was approved for a salvage yard to Margaret Stroda. The salvage yard is located at 3485 Quail Creek Road, Ramona. It can hold a maximum of 30 vehicles and must be set back at least 200 feet from the road.
• A permit for a manufactured home at 1728 N. Meridian, Canton, was granted to Tyler and Julie Kershner. The permit will be reviewed every five years and will be revoked if the home is unoccupied for six months.
• The commission approved a bid of $1,774.20 from Ag Service in Hillsboro for 30 gallons of the chemical, Outpost. Other bids were $1,897.50 from Markley Service of Marion, $2,055.60 from Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro, and $2,055.60 from Agri Producers of Tampa.