After considerable discussion Monday morning, the Barton County Commission on a split vote approved the purchase of a new 6,000-pound Yale forklift from Berry Material Handling of Wichita for $24,846.20 for the Road and Bridge Department. 

The department currently uses a 1976 Wiggins forklift with over 2,182 hours which will now be sold at auction. Department personnel looked at both new and used units over the last several weeks, Road and Bridge Director Phillips said.

However, Commissioner Alicia Straub questioned the purchase since the existing unit only gets used about 100 hours per year. “If it’s still working, why replace it?”

In light of tough budgetary times and the desire to offer raises to county employees, Straub said it might be better to keep the existing lift for now. “Let’s put this off until it absolutely dies.”

“I understand your concerns,” Phillips said. But, he is looking at the increased maintenance costs and the increased difficulty in finding replacement parts.

Plus, he said, hour meter shows just over 2,000. But, the meter was replace before the county purchased the unit used in 1980.

Phillips said he expects to get 20-30 years use out of the new machine.

“He wouldn’t ask for it if he did not need it,” Commissioner Kenny Schremmer said. “I feel this is probably a good move.”

“Don’t feel you have to spend the money this year,” Straub said, pushing for the delay. “It will be there next year.”

Phillips said he realized that. But, he also doesn’t know what the future will bring and the need for additional needs may arise.

It can be difficult to get caught up on expenditures once a department gets behind in keeping its equipment updated, he said.

The purchase was approved on a 4-1 vote. Schremmer, Homer Kruckenberg, Don Davis and Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz voted yes, and Straub voted no.

In other business Monday morning, the Barton County Commission:

• Approved the purchase of front-end loader forks for the Road and Bridge Department at a cost of $11,995 from Murphy Tractor. The department has a need for these at the county’s sandpit. While different methods have been used on site, nothing has proven to be efficient. By purchasing quick-attach 32,000 pound capacity forks, a single operator will be able to load and unload material safely, Phillips said. 

Straub voted in favor of this. “This makes more sense. This is a much wiser use of our dollars. This seems like a necessary purchase.”

• Approved the purchase of a rotary brush cutter for the Road and Bridge Department at a cost of $5,399.80 from Bob Cat of Salina. The department needed a rotary brush cutter as an attachment to its skid steer loader. When doing bridge repairs, culvert replacement or ditch cleanout, the department mows the work area for safety and for the required utility locates. 

The department had been using either the landfill’s rotary cutter or on the on the department’s regular mowers, but Phillips said increased demand for use of these has made sharing difficult.