Strong council talks water issues, excavator purchase

Strong’s city council held its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 8, starting at 6 p.m.

The council began the meeting by approving the minutes from the March meeting, payment of the monthly bills and revenue and expenditure reports.

Strong Mayor Daryl Howell next gave a brief update on the city’s attempt to upgrade its water and sewer system by constructing a well with assistance from a loan through Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resources division.

“To give an update on the loan… They are still processing the loan for the new well. We’ve also contacted, along with that, some other people to do an additional bid to put that well in just in case that loan doesn’t go through,” Howell said.

Howell also informed the council about his efforts to purchase a used mini-excavator to replace the city’s current equipment.

“Most of you may have seen there’s a mini-excavator sitting… at the shop; it’s from United Rentals. It’s a used 2015 [Takeuchi] TB230 with less than 1,000 hours on it,” Howell said.

Howell went on to say that the price for the unit is $24,000, down from the initial $25,350 asking price.

“This mini-excavator is slightly larger than we one have. I went back and looked; just in 2020, we spent over $9,000 on maintenance on the one we have. It’s served its time,” Howell said.

A motion to purchase the mini-excavator for $24,000 passed unanimously.

Council member Charles Perry suggested that the value of the city’s current mini-excavator be determined so a base bid could be set before it is sold.

Howell said that the city’s current mini-excavator, which now has “over 3,000 hours on it” cost around $40,000 when originally purchased.

“We can look and see, try to find a bid price for one with 3,000 hours on it,” Howell said.

The council decided to investigate this issue further and, if necessary, hold a special meeting to place a base bid price on the old excavator.

Strong recorder/treasurer Latosha Gatson also read the then-unpublished text of the city’s advertisement for a licensed water operator, giving the chance for council members to suggest any changes.

No changes were made and Howell said “[the ad] will probably run next week.”

The next Strong city council meeting will be on Thursday, May 13.

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