Council Remains Divided On Truck Issue

The Muldraugh City Council met during a special called meeting Wednesday evening (12/23) that featured only a couple of agenda items. The council approved the second reading of a ordinance that updated and adopted the supplement of the Code of Ordinances for city and state laws in the city.

The council revisited a long running issue and discussion of the purchase of a new maintenance truck for the water and sewer department. Public Works Supervisor Anthony Lee presented a 2016 Ford F550 truck at a price of $102,500 located in Arizona. Lee presented the pricing and several financing options to make the purchase. He said that this was one of the final truck model trucks, which believes would be the best option for repair and maintenance of the vehicle as Ford will be converting to an aluminum frame trucks in 2017.

Councilman Robert Mattingly addressed the council and presented a comparison list between the Ford F250 and F550. He said that originally when began in the discussion that he was in favor of the F250 but through his research of the truck he has changed his mind and believes that the F550 would be the better purchase for the city. The purchase would ease the constant rental of equipment and supplies that the truck would be able to provide at any time for the city.

Councilman Russell Cowins commented that he understood the presentation but disagreed with purchasing the F550 due
to the tight financial situation that the city leaders face. On most of the proposals, city leaders would
only have to come up with additional $300 to add to the current payments already budgeted in the water sewer budget.

After several minutes of discussion, Councilman Curtis Kelley made a motion seconded by Councilman Robert Mattingly to purchase the 2016 F550 truck. The action failed as Councilmembers Corey Dresel, Sheilia Cowins, and Russell Cowins voted against the motion while Councilman Donnie Basham abstained from voting which went with the majority of the voting body.

The issue has been debated about seven to eights months and appears to be stalled for the foreseeable future. The next meeting of the Muldraugh City Council will during their regular meeting on January 11, 2016 at 6:30 pm.