IRON MOUNTAIN — Buying a snow plow has turn complicated for the city of Iron Mountain, but a new one might be on the road within a year.

The council at its first meeting in January chose a $302,316 bid from U.P. Truck Center of Quinnesec for a 4×4 Western Star truck with Monroe equipment and a five-year warranty. But after learning the outfitting for a Monroe body can’t be finished until the second quarter of 2028, city staff researched a Phoenix body as an alternative.

The council on Monday switched U.P. Truck Center’s award to a Phoenix body, carrying a total cost of $298,641.

“Additionally,” City Manager Jordan Stanchina said, “we will receive the truck one year and three months earlier.”

The cost breakdown, according to Public Works Supervisor Scott Thomas, is $211,328 for the Western Star cab, chassis and warranty, plus $87,313 for the Phoenix plow and hydraulics.

The original Stratford, Wis.-based Phoenix bid was $2,663 lower, but there have tariff-related increases in the months since, Thomas explained.

The city had allocated only $200,000 for a new truck to replace a 1996 International Paystar, one of the city’s two largest plow trucks, both at 30 years of use. Although the purchase exceeds the budget, the city does have cash available from funds set aside for other truck replacements.

“While this will delay the replacement of those trucks, we can reassess the equipment replacement priorities during the upcoming budget process,” Stanchina said in a memo to the council.

In another equipment matter, the council approved spending $23,005 for repairs to its 2008 Elgin Eagle street sweeper. The work will be done by MacQueen of Menomonee Falls, Wis.

Stanchina noted the refurbishing will depend on city mechanics being able to get the sweeper’s engine running properly, as MacQueen’s work involves the broom and related components.

That led Mayor Dale Alessandrini to suggest using the city’s fund balance to buy a better sweeper, rather than “kicking a can down the road.”

Stanchina said big purchases are better discussed during the budget process that wraps up in May. He pointed out the cost of a newer used machine might exceed $200,000.

In other action, the council:

— Heard Stanchina report that a grant application has been filed with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to supply recycling carts for both Iron Mountain and Kingsford. It will be about two months before a grant decision is made, he said. If Iron Mountain goes forward with curbside recycling, the cost is roughly estimated at $7 per household per month.

— Adopted a resolution of intent to issue revenue bonds in connection with a $5 million project set to begin this fall to replace about 400 water service lines containing lead. The project will be funded through the Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The city has been awarded a $2.5 million loan at 2% interest, plus $1.72 million in principal forgiveness and a lead and infrastructure grant of $780,000.

— Reappointed Kathleen Anderson to a three-year term on the Iron Mountain Tree Board and Walter Lakari to a four-year term on the Iron Mountain Housing Commission.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.