McLeod County Board approved updated quotes for four snowplows and equipment packages costing the county an additional $291,291.39.
Nuss Truck and Equipment initially quoted a price of $134,457 each for three snowplow trucks in 2021 and $176,467 for one snowplow truck in 2022. However, due to delays in manufacturing attributed to material shortages and labor deficits, the anticipated build and delivery dates were pushed from early 2023 to mid-2024 for the three trucks ordered in 2021. The truck ordered in 2022 does not have a build date.
“Due to the delays, we'll be receiving 2025 chassis instead of 2023 and are forced into the new state contract pricing for both chassis and equipment packages,” Public Works Director Andrew Engel said at the March 19 board meeting.
The four snowplows and equipment packages cost now stands at $1,46 million up from $1,17 millin.
“The price of a new fully equipped snowplow is now $365,282 versus $280,361 back in 2021,” Engel said.
McLeod County's winter maintenance fleet comprises 16 snowplows, with 14 dedicated to specific routes and two serving as spares. The trucks slated for replacement are approximately 19 years old and have obsolete parts, according to Engel.
“Spreaders on these trucks are no longer supported and do not have replacement parts available,” he said. “So when they do break, we would be in the realm of replacing the entire spreader system.”
To address the budgetary shortfall resulting from the cost escalation, the Public Works Department plans to defer the purchase of a loader initially budgeted for 2024 to 2025. The 1993 loader, primarily used for winter operations, faces similar concerns regarding aging and potential maintenance expenses.
