GENTRY — In a meeting on June 28, Gentry's water and sewer committee reviewed a proposal for the city to purchase a small excavator for work in the city's water and sewer department and street department, with money for the purchase coming out of budget line items for equipment in both departments.
Kevin Johnston, Gentry's mayor, proposed the purchase to the committee, saying the city had intended to purchase a bulldozer this year and an excavator next year but no bulldozers had become available. Johnston said the city had located a new 2016 Caterpillar Model 304E with attachments at Riggs Cat in Springdale which lists at more than $81,000 but is being offered to the city for $53,308, resulting in savings of near $28,000 for the city.
Included equipment includes four buckets and a hydraulic thumb. The different-sized buckets will allow the city to use the machine for a variety of jobs, including laying water line, connecting meters, cleaning out drainage ditches and work on streets and alleys. Johnston estimated the machine would save the city considerable money in labor costs.
Additional equipment also being considered are a trailer to transport the excavator to job sites around the city and, at some point in the future, a breaker attachment to break up rocks and pavement.
Committee members said they viewed the purchase as a bargain for the city and a money- and time-saving tool for city employees. Their recommendation to make the purchase will be taken up by the city council at its Monday night meeting on July 10. The proposed purchase is expected to be approved.
Johnston said the bid purchase could be made under the National Joint Powers Alliance purchasing agreement or it could possibly be approved as a one-of-a-kind purchase since it is a specific unit being offered to the city at a specific reduced price.
General News on 07/05/2017