City approves replacing its mower fleet

The City of Yorkton's grass cutting fleet is being replaced in 2013.

"The City's grass cutting fleet has five riding mowers that are used throughout the city to maintain parks, ditches, ball diamonds and open spaces. These machines range in age from three to eight years. The current cutting area within the City is approximately 250 acres and is completed on a 10-day rotation barring weather or mechanical breakdowns," Darcy McLeod, Director of Community Development, Parks and Recreation at the regular meeting of Council Monday.

"The manufacturer's warranty of two years has expired for all of these machines, so all maintenance is charged to the operating budget. Older machines are experiencing mechanical and engine failures requiring an increase in maintenance and repairs. Down-time on equipment reduces productivity and increases workloads on the remaining fleet.

This negatively affects the service levels to park and sports field users by increasing the time between cuts, which means grass is longer."

McLeod said there was value in replacing the fleet now.

Administration has learned that, due to new emission system requirements on John Deere equipment, the cost for the same equipment will increase 15 per cent - 20 per cent in 2014. By taking advantage of the 2013 purchase prices and current fleet trade in values all five machines could be replaced this year. Waiting until 2014 will reduce the trade-in value of the current fleet and increase replacement costs by approximately $60,000.00, he said.

"The fleet was scheduled to be replaced next year and is typically approved as part of the annual capital budget process. The 2013 capital budget was approved in 2012 therefore Administration is required to submit a separate request to Council in order to access the funding in reserves for this purchase. Funding from the Grass Fleet Reserve account in the amount of $82,000 is required to replace the riding mower grass fleet," said McLeod.

McLeod said the department will also be implementing a new replacement regime moving forward.

"Following the purchase of the new grass fleet, Administration would initiate a new fleet replacement program to take advantage of a higher trade-in value and reduced maintenance costs," he said.

The following program would be implemented using the same resource level:

*Replace all 5 rotary mowers in 2013

*Begin a rotation of equipment after 3 years (2016) trading in 3 mowers

*Trade the remaining 2 mowers the following year (2017)

*Repeat the replacement cycle every 3- 4 years thereafter.

Council was unanimous in approving the request to access $82,000 from the Grass Equipment Reserve account to replace the existing fleet of grass equipment.