Kneehill County council approved by a 5 to 1 vote drawing over $5 million from reserves for its 2025 capital equipment plan. The resolution was passed at the Sept. 24 regular meeting of council with Coun. Machell-Cunningham the lone dissenter.
Councillors heard a detailed presentation from Cody Dale-McNair, asset manager, Marika Von Mirbach, manager of financial planning and Director of Infrastructure Mike Ziehr.
McNair noted in his presentation councillors had discussed the program intended to purchase major pieces of equipment for Kneehill County at previous meetings, including the Sept. 17 committee of the whole.
“With this context in mind, the next step is for council to decide on the proposed financial actions required to implement the CEP for 2025,” stated McNair’s memo to council.
“Specifically, this involves approving a draw from the capital equipment plan (CEP) reserve to fund the necessary purchases.
Additionally, council will need to consider the proposed contributions to the CEP reserve during the 2025 budget deliberations.”
McNair noted that if council approved the CEP, staff would begin putting it in motion with 24 hours and ideally see equipment arriving within the first quarter of 2025.
Much of the conversation revolved around the early replacement of a “low boy” trailer, a piece of equipment used to haul large, heavy construction vehicles.
McNair noted in his presentation that the county’s current low boy isn’t scheduled for replacement for another five years; however, it was stated the existing trailer can’t haul all heavy-duty trucks and noted several times during the presentation that the existing low boy’s high load angle has been seen as a safety risk.
It was mentioned during discussion the existing low boy currently has a value of $70,000. A replacement was estimated to cost about $279,000.
Coun. Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham noted that local contractors who offer low boy service charge about $265 per hour and asked if Kneehill County had trouble hiring them. McNair answered hiring contractors when needed has variable difficulty, where in some instances a broken down county vehicle could wait one to two days for the contractor. He noted the broken down vehicle may be sitting on a public road.
Ziehr added that the infrastructure department looks at the best method to deliver efficient services combined with fiscal responsibility; the county therefore has hired contractors in the past. He felt replacing this trailer early meets the department’s goals and again mentioned the safety aspect.
Coun. Debbie Penner asked if buying a new low boy would mean Kneehill County no longer hires contractors, to which Ziehr answered Kneehill County will still hire contractors as the low boy is only for certain jobs.
Coun. Jerry Wittstock observed that the re-sale value of the existing trailer may be higher now than it would be in five years.
Coun. Machell-Cunningham asked if, when hauling Kneehill County equipment that is under warranty, the municipality is mandated to use a third-party to haul it. Ziehr responded he has never before heard that comment. “So that’s news to me,” said Ziehr.
Coun. Machell-Cunningham asked about an earth mover owned by Kneehill County. Staff confirmed it’s still owned by the county, with Ziehr adding that it is used several times per year but is up to be reviewed in 2025.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
