Earle buys new truck for Water Dept.

Earle buys new truck for Water Dept.

Council passes emergency ordinance for purchase

news@theeveningtimes.com

Faced with the prospect of not being able to haul any of its heavy equipment, Earle officials passed an emergency ordinance to purchase a new pick up truck for the water department.

Water Department supervisor Danny Clark told the city council its 2004 pick up is worn out and no longer driveable.

“I mean, it’s gone,” Clark said. “Right now we are dead in the water. We’re out a truck. That’s our lifeline. That’s our work. It is the only truck that can pull our equipment.”

Clark said he called dealerships in Little Rock, Memphis and even into Kentucky looking for pick up trucks.

But because dealers are waiting on the new 2017 models, he was only able to find three trucks that are available in all of Arkansas. “I looked everywhere,” Clark said. “I spent a week getting prices.”

According to Clark, the two cheapest were $30,586 for a 3/4 ton Ford F-250 from Cavenaugh Ford in Jonesboro, and $34,100 from Bale Chevrolet in Little Rock.

“Those are the two best I’ve gotten,” Clark said.

Councilman Bobby Luckett asked whether the city could afford to buy a new truck.

“How are you going to pay for it?” Luckett asked.

Clark said the water department has $10,000 from a money market account to use as a down payment, and that Cavenaugh is offering another $750 off the price if they finance through the dealership which would bring the price down to $29,835.

The payments would be $393 a month for five years.

Clark said they could also apply the proceeds from the sale of two older trucks and a backhoe, which they expect will net about $7,000. “We can handle that amount,” Clark said. “And I really feel like we can get this paid off in a year.”

Clark asked the council to pass a resolution using the emergency clause to waive competitive bidding so that he can purchase the truck. “They are holding it for us,” Clark said. “I am pleading for you to do this because this is something we need to take care of. I think this is the best way to go. And if we wait for the new models it’s not going to get any cheaper.”

Councilman Donnie Cheers asked Clark whether he could wait to replace the truck.

“What is the emergency?”

Cheers asked.

“We won’t have a truck by the time we meet again,” Clark answered.

Cheers said the attorney for the Arkansas Municipal League advised them to be careful using the emergency clause.

“I understand we may not have a truck,” Cheers said.

“But it’s got to be an emergency. I remember what (Municipal League attorney) Mark Hays said. If it’s not an emergency make sure you don’t do it with your emergency clause because you can get in trouble. So we want to make sure this is an emergency. It can’t hold off another month?”

“I don’t think so,” Clark said. “I don’t see how you can not call it anything but an emergency. We are in dire need. We’ve got to have a truck. And it is the only truck we have that can pull our equipment.”

City Attorney Davis Loftin said he believes the need for a truck does meet the requirements to declare an emergency.

“The water system to me would be an emergency,” Loftin said. “You have to have a truck to move the equipment around to maintain your water system.”

Clark said the current truck is leaking oil so badly and is in such bad shape that he us afraid to use it any more than they have to. “We really can’t wait,” Clark said. “I don’t ask you guys for much unless I absolutely need it.”

“No, you don’t,” Mayor Jones added. “That’s why I am on record as supporting this.”

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham agreed that the need was pressing.

“I think we need to,” Barham said. “Like you said. We’re dead in the water.”

By Mark Randall