The Newport Plain Talk

NEWPORT-The Cocke County Road Department will now be able to purchase a new back dump truck for use at its quarry.

The Finance Committee of the Cocke County Legislative Body approved a transfer Monday night that opens the door for the purchase.

With the approval, the Road Department will be able to take $51,000 from its paving capital outlay budget and move it to the equipment capital outlay budget.

Road Superintendent John Holloway explained he had $30,000 left in the equipment budget, leaving a shortfall of $51,000 for the $81,000 vehicle, which he plans to purchase from Stowers Equipment.

"I'm in a spot where I have to have it," said Holloway.

He said the truck will be used to haul rock from the quarry to the crusher.

"The truck we have isn't operating," said Holloway. "It would take $10,000 to fix the transmission and the truck is only worth about $5,000."

Committee members posed questions concerning the purchase, in particular how long it should last.

"The average life of one is about 15,000 hours," said Holloway. "This one is a 1999 model and has 7,500 hours. It should last a while."

Holloway pointed a new truck would cost more than $350,000.

In addition, Holloway explained the $51,000 reduction in the paving budget would only account for about one-half mile of paving, which would be divided over the seven districts. "You're not talking about a major difference," he said.

After a brief discussion, committee member Bill Williamson moved to make the budget transfer to allow the purchase. Bill Costner provided a second and the motion was passed unanimously.

Holloway said the old truck will be sold through bids. He added that Stowers Equipment has already told him it will bid $6,000 for the old truck. That money, in turn, will be put back into the paving budget.