Public works staff told the City Council the city has accumulated about $22,000 in repair bills on an older backhoe that remains unreliable and described a state-bid replacement price at about $75,506 with trade-in (staff also cited a $70,006.60 figure and a separate hydraulics add of roughly $4,500). The shop replacement unit quoted is a newer model (2025) with lower horsepower but staff said the machine would meet most needs and fit easements that the larger machine cannot.

Vernon (public works staff) described an extended repair effort — injectors replaced, head removed and tested, ongoing hydraulic leaks — that had not solved the failure. He said the vendor work had not fixed the problem and that the shop's bill now stands near $22,000. Council members questioned how the bill rose without frequent calls to authorize parts and recommended staff consult county road-district shops and other independent heavy‑equipment mechanics before proceeding.

City Manager Nate Reid said proceeds from surplus equipment (brass valves) are expected to generate roughly $50,000 and that staff planned to allocate a portion of those proceeds to equipment replacement funding; he also said higher sales tax receipts add flexibility. Council asked staff to return with additional vendor recommendations and comparative quotes if a purchase is still recommended.

No motion to purchase was made; council members emphasized the need for additional bids and a clearer warranty/repair history before committing to a roughly $70–75,000 purchase.