PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Highway Department and the Marshall County Commissioners are continuing to pursue funding options to purchase a new piece of equipment.
At their regular meeting, the Commissioners continued discussions with Highway Superintendent Jason Peters regarding ways to purchase a “Total Patcher” for use before the end of the year. The equipment is a spray injection repair system that would allow the highway to continue patching and repair operations on county roads close to year-round, in most weather.
Earlier in the year, the Commissioners were turned down by the County Council for an additional appropriation for the equipment, suggesting it be added to the coming year’s budget. Since then, Peters and Commissioners have explored ways to purchase the equipment before Jan. 1 so that it could be utilized during the current paving season.
Working with the manufacturer, Peters was able to get an agreement for a type of “lease-to-own” arrangement for the current year, with the balance to be paid in the new budget on Jan. 1. If approved by the Council, the arrangement would also save the county $5000 on the purchase.
The Commissioners will seek Council approval at their next meeting on Aug. 11.
