By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Sometimes an expensive repair is still the cheapest way to go. The Barton County Commissioners, in their weekly meeting Wednesday, voted to move forward on repairs for the county's asphalt drum assembly. Asphalt Drum Mixers, Inc. quoted the repairs at $55,120, not exceeding $70,000.
"All the flights inside our existing one our worn out," said County Works Director Darren Williams. "There's a ring on the outside that's welded to the drum. It's getting rounded off so bad it's going to, one of these days, roll right off the trundles that spin it."
Commissioner Barb Esfeld asked if the county had received other bids and was informed by Williams the mixer was initially purchased from ADM. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz asked if replacing the machinery would be more cost-effective than repairing it.
"I'm just questioning putting up to $70,000 into something if we need to put another $120,000 in it in six months," Schartz asked of the 35-year-old equipment.
Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson then asked Williams how much a new piece of equipment would cost. Williams said the county was quoted at approximately $820,000.
"So there's some room there to do some more repairs, I'd say," Hutchinson laughed.
Hutchinson said the county is currently transporting sand for mixing asphalt, and repaired equipment would save the county money. Schartz agreed that even expensive repairs are a part of doing government work.
"One thing that I really appreciate being part of Barton County for is we have always been very proactive on keeping our machinery and equipment in good working order," Schartz said. "I know this sounds like a lot of money, but in light of what we just learned about how much a new plant costs, it's good use of taxpayer money."