City of Earle getting new knuckleboom truck

City of Earle getting new knuckleboom truck

Councilman: ‘ The one we have is old. Last time it was down, it was down for three months and that put us behind picking up trash and tree limbs.’

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Earle had ordered a new knuckleboom truck to replace an older one that has had mechanical problems and is starting to cost the city more money to repair it than it is worth.

Councilman Kenneth Cross found a new 2019 Freightliner with a Petersen knuckleboom on the state approved bid list for $146,446 and presented it to the City Council to consider.

“I think we need another knuckleboom truck,” Cross said. “The one we have is old. Last time it was down, it was down for three months and that put us behind picking up trash and tree limbs.”

Cross said the city will be able to spread the lease payments out over five years and at the end will have the option to make a balloon payment.

“This has already been approved on the state list,” Cross said. “It’s the same deal other cities are getting.”

Councilman Robert Malone agreed that the city’s current knuckleboom truck is almost worn out. The city bought its current truck new about eight years ago.

“We were told when we bought it to keep it about six or seven years,” Malone said. “Ours has already reached that. We’ve had a lot of things happen to it.”

Mayor Sherman Smith said while he agrees the city needs a new knuckleboom truck, Cross should have brought it to him first to look over rather than spring it on the City Council during a meeting.

“I don’t have a problem with buying one,” Smith said. “In fact, when I got back in office that’s one of things I saw that we needed. But I don’t understand why a city councilman thinks he has the right to run city business.”

Cross responded that he was doing his job.

“Yes, I do,” Cross said.

“I’m an elected official.”

“I’m just saying that it is disrespectful to operate on behalf of the city and not go through the mayor first,” Smith shot back.

Cross accused Smith of not doing his job and added that he doesn’t have time to track him down to run everything by him.

“It seems like you don’t have the time,” Cross said.

“We need a truck. So I’m doing what I need to do. I don’t need to come and tell you. I have the authority to do that.”

“I know my job,” Smith responded. “You should do yours.”

“You’re not doing your job,” Cross snapped back.

Cross pointed out that the city had to spend $1,900 on one part for the current truck which is almost as much as they would pay for the monthly lease payment on a new truck.

He also reminded the council that they have set aside money over the years to save up for a new truck because they knew they were going to need one.

“We have the money coming out every month that we pay for that truck,” Cross said. “Making the payment (on a new one) is not the problem. It’s whether we want to do it or not. At the end of five years we would have a new truck.”

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham said while she realizes the city does need a more reliable knuckleboom truck, she would like to hear Road Department supervisor Nemi Matthews’s opinion first because of the city’s limited resources.

Matthews was sick and not at the meeting.

“I would want to hear his opinion about the time element or if he thought we could make it another year or two with what we have,” Barham said. “It’s not a question about the truck.

It’s just whether this is the time to take that step. I know it is needed. But it is a big stick.”

Councilman Donnie Cheers said the current truck is already past its expected lifespan.

“When all is said and done, we need a truck,” Cheers said.

Smith pointed out that the current truck has a leaky transmission and that they definitely need a new one, but again said Cross should have given them more time to look over the proposed lease terms.

“We need a truck,” Smith said. “But I need to be comfortable with it. The city council legislates. I’m over the day to day. I’m in my office. You know where to find me.”

Cross said Smith should have already taken the lead on buying one.

“If I’m not doing my job, somebody needs to be doing it then,” Cross said.

“I don’t have time to come and look for you.”

“You can show a little respect

and follow the proper channels,” Smith responded. “You could have come to see me. But that’s indicative of you.”

After looking over the leasing and finance terms the Council voted to go ahead and order the truck.

“If other cities are using this, it’s probably all right,” Smith said.

The city has until Nov. 25 to order the truck under the same financing terms offered.

By Mark Randall