Equipment purchase also approved

By RANDALL ALLEN

Horizon reporter

CELINA-Aldermen approved a large-scale project to repave all city streets, and also authorized the purchase of a backhoe and skid steer during their April meeting last week.

“We have been waiting a long time for this, two years,” mayor Luke Collins said about paving all the streets here inside the City of Celina.  “We are going to vote on our paving resolution.”

The mayor explained the terms of the loan arrangement to alderman and residents in attendance.

“It is up to $2 million and I feel like it will come in under that,” he said.  “$2 million dollars, (the annual payment) is $141,620 a year…  for 20 years.”

“It is a low-interest loan from USDA Rural Development.  We were hoping to get (the loan) under 4%, but it is a bit over above four, at 4.1%.”

“If we pass this, then we will submit it for bids?” alderman Kenny Westmoreland asked.

“Absolutely,” Collins replied.

Westmoreland made a motion to approve the city getting a loan from the USDA for up to $2 million.  Alderman Justin Rich seconded the motion, and it passed 2-0.

Westmoreland also made a motion to approve the paving project be sent out for bids, which was followed by a Rich second the and passed 2-0.

After the meeting, the city Facebook page provided an update on when paving would begin.

“We expect paving to begin in May or at the latest June,” the city’s official page it said.

Another issue taken up by the board was upgrading some of the maintenance department equipment.

Before the vote, aldermen heard from maintenance supervisor Austin Goad concerning the condition of some of the current city equipment.

“Everything we have got, all that old stuff is worn out,” Goad said.  “Every day it’s something breaking down—the backhoe and stuff.”

“Austin, who has this equipment for sale,” Westmoreland asked Goad, who explained Barry Jones had the backhoe for sale and Mike McClain was selling the skid steer.

“The backhoe is a 2019 Caterpillar (for $65,000) and the skid steer is a 2019 John Deere for $36,000,” Collins announced.  “Both have 2,000 hours.”

“I know that is a good price, but let me ask a question,” Westmoreland said.  “If we were buying these new, how much would they cost, a whole lot more I am sure?”

“The backhoe would be like $200,000, (and) a brand new skid steer was estimated to cost between $75,000 to $80,000,” Goad replied.

Goad told the board that he “crawled under (the equipment) and they had no leaks.”

“What does the budget looking like?” Rich inquired.

“Right now we have a little over a million dollars.” Collins said.  “One thing to keep in mind is we will be having to make that (future annual) paving payment.

“Financially, the city is currently very strong.”

After a bit more deliberation, Rich made a motion to purchase the backhoe and skid steer, Westmoreland seconded the motion, and it passed 2-0.

In other business, the Celina Fire Department and the Clay County Rescue Squad both asked city aldermen for monetary assistance.

Craig Copess from the Celina Fire Department asked the board for assistance with obtaining a replacement fire truck.

“Our newest truck that we have is 30 years old,” Copess said.  “It is getting to the point where we are in limp mode.  We have looked at new trucks and they are $750,000 to a million dollars. and we know we can’t do that.

“Basically, what we are looking at, we found some decent used ones and they range from $250,000 to $400,000,” Copess continued.  “In the last three years, we have applied for multiple grants, but due to the fact that structure fire numbers are low here… grants are unavailable.”

Westmoreland made a motion to start the search for a replacement fire truck for the Celina Fire Department, Rich seconded the motion, and it passed 2-0.

Dennis Purcell, representing the Clay County Rescue Squad, asked city legislators for monetary assistance of approximately $587 for a tool box.

Westmoreland made a motion to purchase a tool box for the rescue squad, Rich seconded the motion, and it passed 2-0.