Add a new semi-truck to cost of local trash

A new semi-truck to haul the trailers of trash that come out of the Delano Regional Transfer Station to a landfill in Ephrata will cost a pretty penny in the ballpark of $180,000-$200,000.

The Regional Board of Mayors, which includes mayors from Electric City, Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam, and Elmer City, discussed with transfer station manager Randy Gumm Aug. 9 the need for a new truck.

City Clerk Peggy Nevsimal of Electric City said possible funding options for the truck included a grant/loan package from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and American Rescue Plan Act money that each city has received from the federal government.

The current truck, purchased in 2009, has 237,000 miles on it, reportedly “hard miles”, they said, because of the weight of the loads, and the sometimes-rough conditions of roads.

Problems with the electronics in the truck are the main issue, and it has broken down multiple times in recent years, requiring a rental truck to take its place.

Nevsimal told The Star that, best case scenario, a new truck could be available in early 2022.

They would keep the old truck as a backup.