County officials may need to look farther afield or wait to find new vehicles because of supply chain issues.
Mitch Garner, Allen County public works director, said he received no bids when he was looking for trucks from four area dealerships. That’s because of a lack of inventory, Garner said.
“One of them said we may not be able to get them until next year,” Garner reported to county commissioners on Tuesday morning.
He was looking for two half-ton pickup trucks and two three-quarter ton trucks, either new or used. One of each is needed for his department, along with one of each for the road and bridge department.
Garner said he and Mark Griffeth, the road and bridge director, would drive the half-ton trucks. The others are needed at the landfill and quarry.
Griffeth has been driving “a courtesy vehicle” typically kept at the Allen County Regional Airport, but it has high miles.
Garner sought bids from Twin Motors Ford of Iola, Sigg Motors of Iola, Jay Hatfield Chevrolet of Chanute and Shields Motor Company of Chanute.
A letter from Twin Motors said they were unable to provide a bid: “Due to the overwhelming amount of vehicles on order, Ford Motor Company stopped taking orders for the 2022 model year.”
The letter outlined delays for 2023 trucks as well.
Garner said his budget for this year included funds for the trucks, but if he can’t find them he may need to push the purchases to next year.
Commissioner David Lee asked if Garner had tried to purchase the vehicles individually, rather than as a group. Garner said he could try that.
“We could get by just buying one at the moment,” he said.
Garner also suggested he could check dealerships in the Kansas City area or wait.
Commissioner Bruce Symes suggested he speak to the sheriff’s department to see if they had any used trucks available.
TUESDAY’S commission meeting lasted just 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel.
