Amador County – Amador County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency purchase of a dump truck and trailer Tuesday for $108,000, pending assurance that the truck has a clear title.

Supervisors directed General Services Director Jon Hopkins to do verification of information and request a clear title on the truck, which is a 2008 Kenwood T800 dump truck, for sale in Prescott, Arizona. Hopkins in a report to the board asked for the item to be “blue slipped,” that is, inserted into the board’s agenda as an emergency. He said the information was not available until after the agenda was posted” and “if the matter was postponed to the next regularly scheduled board meeting on April 5, the opportunity to secure the negotiated price” would be missed.

Hopkins asked for a waive of the formal bidding process, saying that the GSA had worked with Public Works Department for more than a year to find transport “trucks and trailers that meet Public Works specifications.” He said Dan Ryan of Arizona is “willing to sell his truck and trailers that meet the majority of public works specifications for $100,000.”

Hopkins said “many variables have been explored and no truck and trailers have been located within the budgeted amount during this time period.” He said the truck purchase was approved in the budgetary process but was limited to $110,000 in the current budget. The GSA estimated that painting the truck and trailers would cost about $12,000.

Hopkins said “Ryan reduced his asking price because he is downsizing and is willing to sell as a private party further saving any auctioneer or sales commission.” He was “also willing to pay off the lien holder to avoid any complications and ensure a clean transaction.”

Regarding the bidding, which was waived, Hopkins said: “Due to the uniqueness and variables of used equipment, bidding is not possible and, therefore, waiving the bid process is recommended.” He said “sellers cannot guarantee the equipment of interest will not be sold while awaiting the approval process.”

The non-compliance of specifications that Public Works was looking for included mileage. It sought a truck with less than 50,000 miles, though the Kenworth has 74,000 miles. The truck also had a 13,200-pound front axle, instead of a 20,000-pound axle that was sought. The truck complies with California Air Resources requirements for 18-speed diesel trucks.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.