INNISFAIL – Town staff has been given approval by Innisfail council to spend $364,046 on two new public works vehicles to replace current ones that are almost 22 and 14-years-old.
Curtis Hoffman, engineering coordinator for the Town of Innisfail, appeared before a regular town council meeting on Feb. 27 and pitched two recommendations, with the first to move ahead with the purchase of a 2023 Ford F-550 service truck for $158,251, and then a 2023 John Deere loader backhoe for $205,795.
Hoffman told council the town currently has a 2001 F-350 service truck that is used at utility repair sites and maintenance at sanitary lift stations.
He said the unit does have a small crane but is of limited use due to its size.
“So, currently we use the backhoe for any lifting of equipment or parts,” Hoffman told council. “We try to replace this type of equipment (service truck) within 20 years in order to keep service and maintenance down and it becomes difficult to find parts.”
He told council requests for quotations went out on Jan. 10 to the Alberta Purchasing Connection (APC) and only one was received.
It was for a vehicle from 2008, older than what the town wanted, said Hoffman.
He said the town then reached out to Commercial Truck Equipment (CTE) in Calgary and was provided a quote for a new unit that met the specifications.
Council was told staff looked at four units and chose the 2023 Ford F-550 service truck for $158,251.
“This new unit will be utilized by all departments and provide a better equipped unit at dig sites and lift station maintenance and repairs,” said Hoffman. “The unit will also be used for emptying the large garbage bins and assist in maintenance of heavy equipment.”
Mayor Jean Barclay asked Hoffman whether the right service truck could have been purchased at any local dealerships.
Hoffman replied the required service truck was a “specialty item” and local dealerships do not have anything larger than a one-ton vehicle, and are not always equipped with the needs the town must address.
Council unanimously passed the motion to purchase the 2023 Ford F-550 service truck.
Hoffman then introduced a motion for council to approve the purchase of the 2023 Ford F-550 service truck from CTE for $158,251, with it being funded from the Public Works Equipment Reserve. It was passed unanimously.
Council was the asked to approve a second motion to give staff the go-ahead to purchase a John Deere 2023-3105L loader backhoe from the Brandt dealership of Red Deer for $205,795, which will also be funded from the Public Works Equipment Reserve.
“In replacing vehicles, our 2009 Cat 420 loader backhoe is one of our most frequently used pieces of equipment shared between all three departments,” said Hoffman, adding it has been rebuilt once.
He said the town again went to APC for pricing on a replacement and received two quotes that met equipment requirements.
Hoffman said the John Deere 2023-3105L loader backhoe was the better of the two options. He added with the previous unit’s attachments can be used.
Council was also told the price was under the budgeted amount of $210,000.
Council unanimously passed the motion for staff to purchase the John Deere 2023-3105L loader backhoe.
Hoffman later told the Albertan the old service truck and loader backhoe, which were identified as priority capital expenses in the town's 2023 municipal budget, will be auctioned off.
