The Fisher County Commissioners wrapped up leftover discussions from last month regarding the installation of GPS systems, but the court was split when voting to purchase a new backhoe during Monday's meeting.
“I'm not asking the court for any more money,” said Fisher County Commissioner Preston Martin, explaining to the court during Monday's regular meeting the justification for purchasing a new backhoe for his precinct. He said the current piece of equipment was purchased in 1986.
Martin referenced a grant the County received through TxDot some time ago for replacing or repairing county bridges. This was a matching grant that required the county to match a percentage of the funds granted, which is commonly done through performing in-kind work.
Martin explained the type of work required around these bridges exceeded the capabilities of his current machine. Additionally, the aging machine is prone to mechanical malfunctions that slow down operations.
“Whenever we use it we have to have two people, so the first one can pick up the second one when the machine breaks down,” said Martin.
He explained the new machine is equipped with an extended boom that will allow his workers to reach the necessary areas around the bridges. Additionally, Martin said he plans to offset the $120,000 purchase price by selling for pieces of surplus equipment. “I'm basically trading for pieces of equipment for one,” said Martin.
For sure County Auditor Becky Mauldin confirmed that Commissioner Martin the had funds in his precinct’s budget to make the purchase. However, as this is not the only equipment purchase request on the day's agenda, Mauldin also reminded the court that purchases like these are supposed to be budgeted for at the beginning of the year.
Commissioner Gordon Pippin was opposed to spending the funds, even if they were available, saying it was a ridiculous purchase. “I just don't see spending $120,000 on a piece of equipment that sets in the yard more than anything,” said Pippin
Pippin said that for $120,000, the equipment would get better use if it were shared among all four precincts. “We already share a dozer,” said Pippin.
Martin retorted, saying in recent days he was again unable to get access to the county’s bulldozer because it was currently being operated in Commissioner Pippin's precinct. Martin added that it has been more than two years since Precinct 3 (Martin’s precinct) has seen the dozer.
Pippin responded by saying the statement was not exactly true, and the commissioners spent the next few minutes taking turns sniping at one another until Martin consented to the fact the dozer did make it to his precinct eventually. “It took a while though,” said Martin.
Commissioner Kevin Stewart broke the tension by making a motion to vote in favor of purchasing the equipment, which Martin seconded and Commissioner Dexter Elrod also voted in agreement. Pippin made sure his vote was documented accurately in the public record as being in opposition. “I think you're wasting money, and I ain't voting for it,” said Pippin.
Pippin has been out of step with his fellow commissioners more than once recently, being the only commissioner speaking last month who was in favor of installing GPS systems on the county's equipment. Last year a belly dump and truck were stolen from his precinct and were not recovered.
GPS systems have been a point of contention amongst the court since they were first introduced during last year's budget talks in August. While the court was initially interested in the possibility of using the GPS systems to double as timekeeping devices, those opposed cited it as an unnecessary expense that could possibly cause equipment malfunctions.
These oppositions were called “far-fetched” by members of the public who spoke out against the court last month, saying they would like to see better accountability for the money spent on these pieces of equipment, saying they were, “ashamed of what's going on,” in the court.
Lee Connolly with Warren Cat was on hand Monday to put to rest any lingering concerns about how GPS systems operate with Caterpillar equipment. He explained that newer models come with a GPS system preinstalled when it leaves the factory and it simply needs to be initiated.
Connolly said Caterpillar GPS units can be installed easily on older pieces of equipment for $325 per unit. The company charges $260 annually to maintain the GPS system.
“If y'all can supply the GPS, I think that's how we want to go,” said Mauldin. Although it will still take some time to install the equipment and get the system up and running, this final discussion put to rest the eight-month-long debate on the topic of GPS.