Sicamous council recently approved the purchase of a $233,000 loader that will save the district money.
The loader, a 2015 John Deere 624K, is being purchased from Brandt Tractor Ltd. for $233,350, less the trade-in of a 2010 loader for the price of $150,000, bringing the district’s total to $83,360 plus taxes.
District chief financial officer Kelly Bennett explained the trade-in will amount to a decreased tax impact in the municipal budget.
“Previously we had a lease for a 2010 loader with monthly payments of $3,000, so this is just doing a trade-in essentially, and we have a decrease in payment of $1,500,” said Bennett.
The lease on the 2010 loader expired last October, prompting council and district staff’s deliberation on the upgrade.
Council also approved another public works expenditure – $76,866 plus taxes for three back-up diesel generators from Frontier Power Products Ltd.
The generators are for the district’s lift stations at Boutwell, Silver Sands and Sicamous Park estates, which are all currently without back-up power.
Frontier’s quote was the lowest of three provided to the district.
