The Vilas County Highway Committee opened and awarded competitive bids for 2021 quad-axle patrol trucks and approved a new policy to build the attachments in-house rather than at a factory.
Three companies provided bids for the quad-axle truck from Midstate Truck of Wausau at $143,000, Truck Country of Minocqua at $138,837, and Quality Truck of DePere at $141,738. The committee approved the low bid of Truck Country provided they meet all bid specifications.
Attachments and equipment that gets added to the truck ranged from $137,437, $143,734 and $97,435 just for the attachments if the county did the installation. The county highway crew has not in the past installed attachments but wanted to give it a try.
Highway Commissioner Troy Schalinske told the committee they talked about doing this and asked the committee to let them try to find out how long it may take and what the cost savings might be.
“We feel we can build the attachments in-house but this being the first time we don’t know how much it would cost and what the impact would be on warranty,” Schalinske said.
Committee member Art Kunde wanted to try it “to get a benchmark on what it would cost and how long it would take.”
The committee approved to build the truck in-house paying $97,435 for all the attachments from Truck Equipment of Wausau.
The committee also approved purchase of a half-ton pickup through the state contract. The Ford 150 was priced at $34,761 while the Chevy crew cab was $34,506. The committee approved the Chevy purchase.
Other actions
In other actions the committee approved beaver control from Noisy Creek Adventures of Rhinelander with a bid of $10,000 over North Country Construction of St. Germain which bid $69,500.
The committee reviewed Hwy N Plum Creek bridge design at a not to exceed price of $56,994 of which the county is responsible for 20% or $11,399. Construction is expected in 2022.
Finally, Dan Klessig was appointed to fill the vacant Patrol Superintendent position.
