GOSNELL— The Gosnell City Council called a special meeting Tuesday night to decide between two backhoes, ultimately choosing the 2006 Komatsu from F&L Equipment.
The first backhoe discussed was a 2018 Case from Heartland Equipment, which originally cost $81,000. However, the company would take the previous backhoe for $9,000, which would drop the expense to $72,000. This option had a warranty.
The second backhoe discussed was from F&L Equipment out of Neelyville, Mo. The price tag on the 2006 Komatsu is $28,500. This, however, doesn’t come with a warranty nor the ability to trade in the previous backhoe.
Councilman Jason Taylor said he had heard concerns from citizens on how hard it would be to find parts for a 2006 Komatsu.
Councilman David Blount responded by saying there is a Komatsu dealer and they’d overnight parts.
Blount stated the previous backhoe should still be running, but it has been abused. It had only had 5,000 hours, which is roughly 300 hours per year.
“That machine no doubt should still be running. It’s been abused. It should still be going,” Blount explained.
The previous backhoe, however, does have new tires on it and according to Blount, those tires would fit the Komatsu.
According to Blount, everything works on the previous backhoe except the transmission. Councilman Steve Nelson agreed with Blount that if the previous backhoe transmission could get fixed it could be a backup.
Nelson added that another backhoe they were looking at previously didn’t have a warranty and also didn’t fit the needs of the employees.
Taylor asked how do they need to make sure the new one is taken care of properly.
Mayor Teresa Walker responded, “ They’re going to be trained on it.”
Blount added,” We shouldn’t even be having this discussion. We should already have a real nice backhoe down there.”
Taylor made the motion to go with the 2006 Komatsu and Blount seconded.
Gosnell City Clerk Kathleen Hunt-Cross read ordinance number 302 the first time in its entirety and then the council approved to read the second and third time by title only and the ordinance passed unanimously. The council also unanimously passed the emergency clause.
Walker also brought forth Ordinance 303, which waived the requirements of competitive bids for a police vehicle.
Walker stated this is what they have always done.
Blount asked if they were going to paint the car since it is white and the other cars at the Gosnell Police Department are grey, and Councilman James Haynes stated he’d like to keep them all the same color.
Taylor asked if they were getting a car, truck or SUV?
Haynes responded by saying a Dodge Charger.
Taylor added they needed a truck or something for the winter weather and for right now as the streets are flooding.
Taylor stated he thinks they need a truck or SUV. He then asked what were the needs of the police department and turned to look at two officers from the GPD.
Officer Glenn Teeter said,” I can not weigh in on that. I am not the chief of police.”
Walker stated there isn’t a need for it to be done at the present time and can be tabled.
Taylor eventually made the motion to table the proposed ordinance until after the Fire,Police and Safety Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 26.