QC discusses buying bulldozer

By John Miller, 03/31/23 10:36 AM

PRESCOTT – A special meeting of the Nevada County Quorum Court was called to discuss the purchase of a new bulldozer for the Nevada County Landfill Thursday evening.

Talk, though, is as far as things got. Nevada County Judge Mike Otwell said the county has $774,265 left of the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) money and reminded the court of the discussion on the need for a dozer it had at the regular meeting earlier in the month. The current dozer, he said, is an 83 or 85 model. Recently a belt on it broke, which was difficult to find, but one was found and it’s running again.

He pointed out the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has been telling him the county needs to get the pits covered or it could face fines of $40,000 a day. Dirt is being hauled to the landfill, but the dozer can’t handle the workload required. Otwell said the dozer he’d mentioned at the prior meeting had been sold, but another one might be arriving in about 30 days, but he wasn’t sure of the price. However, he did say it wouldn’t be more than $315,000 and could be less. The new dozer would come from Caterpillar and have a warranty. It would also have a covered cab, heat and air conditioning.

The problem, as it was discussed, is under an interlocal agreement with the city, the county would pay 46 percent with the city paying 54 percent of the cost. Otwell said the county has the money and could buy the dozer, working something out with the city later.

Justice of the Peace Kenneth Bailey suggested buying a new bulldozer, and leaving it on the table as an option, adding the county has known it needed one for more than 10 years now.

Chris Fore chimed in saying the trash tax was supposed to be used to buy equipment for the landfill, including a bulldozer and a new compactor, but neither have been bought with these funds.

Otwell pointed out the concrete at the compactor is breaking up and needs to be repaired. “I’m trying to get the machinery we need without borrowing any money,” he said, adding a new water truck is needed as well.

The discussion went in circles concerning what the city may or may not do. JP Dennis Pruitt said if the county bought the dozer the city could deny paying its portion and something would need to be worked out. JP Pat Grimes brought up the fact the city doesn’t have the money right now and took $1.2 million in certificates of deposit to pay on its bill from SWEPCO.

The county, Otwell said, needs to act when the window is open with a new dozer because if it tries to buy a new one it’ll be next April before the county could get it. He added eight yards of concrete should repair the compactor and wanted to use ARPA money to pay for it. He was reminded ARPA funds could be used for equipment, but not repairs. He recommended getting a dozer when one comes available from Caterpillar, saying the county wouldn’t have to get bids. It would be the same if the county wanted to buy a new bulldozer as it could be purchased through Sourcewell at a guaranteed price.

In the end, the court agreed to find out what the city could do and Otwell will get with the county’s attorney.