Lately I have been hearing a malicious rumor that, on behalf of the Mount Zion PSD, I have gone repeatedly before the Commission asking for more and more funds to correct issues with “damaged” equipment we purchased with County funds.
While I normally try to ignore such grumbling, I think it is important that I respond publicly to this one.
The truth is that we requested $60,000 for a dump truck based on the going rates at dealerships for other trucks suitable for our needs. At auction, we got a fantastic deal on a truck with a known reliability issue easily corrected a known solution.
Since then, I have gone before the Commission asking for permission to use the UNSPENT portion of those funds allocated to buy that dump truck to implement that known solution and to purchase other pieces of equipment with an only slightly less urgent need.
We asked for $60,000 for a dump truck, fully expecting to spend nearly all of that money for that purpose. For less than that, we have a good dump truck, a good utility truck, and a trailer, all vital equipment that improves safety and speeds our response to leaks.
I would call that a bargain.
