By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle

Osoyoos’ new head of operations has suggested “rejigging” budgeted equipment to defer one piece of equipment, and combine the budgetary savings from another to purchase a “wheel loader” for the town, which it doesn’t currently have.

During the 2025 budget process, town staff brought forward several fleet replacements for Council’s consideration to be replaced during the 2025 year. The new Director of Operational Services, Tyler Madsen said in a presentation to council that he’s had a chance to assess the current town fleet and what’s in the budget for this year’s capital program and is suggesting a slight revision.

Madsen proposed taking the replacement front mount mower that had been budgeted for $70,000 and defer that purchase into future, unspecified years. “We have other equipment that will still keep the mowing of the parks ongoing for that time,” he said.

At the same time a replacement backhoe, which had been budgeted at $270,000 has come in at an actual cost of $200,000 (including trade-in value), the savings of which the Operations Department is suggesting be combined with the mower savings totalling $140,000.

Madsen was promoting the idea of purchasing a “wheel loader” as a replacement unit for the town’s second backhoe.

“Having a wheel loader as part of the town’s fleet will allow public works staff to have a more versatile unit within the fleet to assist with moving larger amounts of material as well as assist with snow removal operations as needed,” Madsen said.

He added they have pricing for the wheel loader from Canoe Procurement Group of Canada – a Canadian not-for-profit created by the public sector for public sector procurement – for just under that combined amount at about $130,000.

“This will essentially right-size our fleet,” he said adding, “it’s not uncommon for Public Works departments to have wheel loaders, and we don’t really have any. So it also can help with clearing snow in cul-de-sacs and stuff.”

Importantly Madsen said the equipment can be purchased without being hit by a 25 per cent tariff. Council gave its approval for the budgetary adjustments as it doesn’t have any impact on overall budget numbers.