A fairly routine item to buy a much-needed loader-mounted snow blower for the city streets department led to a split vote of the Coeur d'Alene City Council in the last meeting of the year. Street Superintendent Tim Martin asked the council for permission to buy a used $90,000 loader-mounted snowblower from money saved this year within the department's budget. A new piece of equipment would cost $100,000 or more, and used snowblowers are hard to find. Councilman Dan Gookin balked at the purchase because the item wasn't listed in the city's fiscal budget. A line item to purchase used equipment was removed during the depths of the Great Recession. Gookin said he would support adding the used-equipment line item into next year's budget. He was content to allow the Streets Department to continue using a 1973 loader-mounted snowblower, which is know to break down frequently -- and cost much to repair. Gookin was out-voted 3-1, as council members Ron Edinger, Deanna Goodlander and Steve Adams supported the motion.

• You can read the draft minutes to the Friday meeting here.

Thoughts?

 

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