With a million-plus miles on the odometer, it’s time for the truck to go.
And county commissioners paved the way Monday by approving funding to allow the Carter County Landfill to buy a much-needed truck and to complete other projects.
During Monday’s Commission meeting, members voted 19-3 to allocate $100,000 from the county’s fund balance to the landfill.
The approval stipulated that the top priority would be the purchase of a roll-off truck for the landfill. Then, if funds allow, the convenience center project in Elk Mills would be completed. If funds remain after those projects, the remainder could be used for paving around the scales at the landfill.
The motion to allocate the funds came from Commissioner Harry Sisk, who chairs the budget committee. That group voted during its meeting on June 17 to present the request for funding to the full Commission.
Landfill Manager Benny Lyons has addressed the budget and landfill committees several times regarding the need for a roll-off truck, and he spoke to the full Commission on the issue Monday night.
“The roll-off truck is a high priority,” Lyons said. “It is used every day.”
During his previous reports to the budget and landfill committees, Lyons said the roll-off truck currently owned by the county has approximately 1.3 million miles on it and frequently breaks down and requires repairs. In recent months, Lyons said he has had to borrow a roll-off truck from Sullivan County in order to continue operations at the landfill.
Carter County Finance Director Ingrid Deloach reported to the Budget Committee in June the county had spent approximately $14,000 in repairs for the vehicle during the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
On Monday, the motion to the approve funding for the truck and other landfill projects passed with little discussion other than making certain the truck is to be the top priority.
“We don’t want to limit Mr. Lyons to $40,000 for a truck,” Commissioner Joel Street said, pointing out that having a roll-off truck is essential in order for the county’s convenience centers to be serviced. “I don’t want Benny to have to go out and buy a piece of junk,” he added.