LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the purchase of a four-wheel drive backhoe by Lake County Special Districts on Tuesday.
All American Rentals, from Sacramento, was awarded the contract, which will total a little more than $103,000.
The new backhoe will replace a nearly 30 year old Case 580, which is “worn out and would require repairs that would cost more than the value of the equipment,” according to Lake County Special Districts Administrator Mark Dellinger.
In 2001, the current backhoe”s hour meter broke at 3,000 hours. Additionally, the hydraulic system is leaking and beginning to fail.
Two other bids were received, one from Paper Machinery in Rohnert Park and another from Peterson Tractor Company in Willits. The bids totaled a little less than $107,000 and a little less than $115,000, respectively.
District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington asked whether a brand-new backhoe was needed, or if a used one could be purchased.
“We did research in used equipment, but because of the level of use of a piece of equipment like this, we felt it was better in the long run to have a new one,” Dellinger said.
Kelseyville Waterworks District covers the water and wastewater in Kelseyville, as well as the county”s three mountain systems. This means work on difficult slopes along Cobb Mountain. The backhoe must be able to navigate forested terrain, as well.
“So we have to have a piece of equipment ? that is able to respond quickly,” Dellinger said. “We have a backhoe in utility area three and utility area one.”
The current backhoe had multiple breakdowns when working on the S. Main Street water system, as well as when clearing brush to drill a new well on Mount Hannah.
“The utility area superintendents have been asking for this backhoe in the last five preliminary budgets that they have submitted to me,” Dellinger said. “I have crossed it off every time. It is at a point now ? that it is beyond its life.”
“It is long due,” Dellinger added.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
