By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Independent
The County of Stettler is spending some money for capital equipment.
During the March 10th, 2021, council meeting, County of Stettler council approved the purchase of a pair of graders, a pair of lawnmowers, a new gravel truck, and a gravel trailer.
County administration received tenders for the graders from Brandt Tractor in Red Deer, and two separate tenders for graders from Finning in Red Deer.
Specifications for the quotes for graders have both machines outfitted with snow moving equipment and a roller/packer attachment.
“We always supply rippers on our maintenance graders, and five, six-years later they have never hit the ground,” said Director of Operations Rick Green.
“They are a little bit different configuration.”
Finning was awarded the tender for two, 2021 Caterpillar 160A all-wheel drive graders for just under $559,000 each, for a total expense of around $1.12 million, under the $1.15 million budget allocated.
In a split vote, council also approved the purchase of two 2021 Schulte HX1000 roadside mowers from Stettler Ag. Centre. Expenditure for the mowers was budgeted for $45,000 per unit; however, only two tenders were received, one from the local Stettler business, and one from an Edmonton business, both above that mark.
The final price for the mowers is $51,900 per unit, for a total expenditure of just under $104,000.
Some discussion was had by council, debating if these machines are the best suited for the road shoulders in Stettler County, with some members of council suggesting that they should perhaps consider other options.
As the mowers met administration specifications, and were budgeted for, the vote was called, passing narrowly with Reeve Clarke, and Councillors Grover and Gendre opposing the motion.
Finally, council approved the purchase of a new gravel truck and trailer for the County fleet. In total, nine separate vendors tendered for the truck, with the tender being awarded to New West Freightliner in Red Deer for a total cost of around $206,000.
The trailer was tendered out separately, and council was given the option of a tri-axle short box trailer, or a larger “quad wagon” capable of carrying an extra seven-yards worth of gravel per load.
“We would like to put a quad wagon out, on the one truck anyways,” said Green.
“The more gravel we can haul, the quicker we can get done.”
Council opted to purchase the larger trailer over the smaller one at an approximate cost of just under $80,000.