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MT Contractors Assoc want BSB Gov to hold off on buying rock crusher

Posted: Nov 21, 2012 5:36 PM by Katy Harris KXLF News

The Montana Contractors Association is asking that Butte Silver Bow consider hiring private contractors for rock crushing instead of buying a new crusher that could cost up to $800,000.
The Montana Contractors Association sent a formal letter to the Butte Silver Bow government.
It explains their position against the government buying a new rock crusher.
The association believes hiring private contractors for rock crushing is cost-effective for taxpayers instead of making one big investment into a crusher.
"Butte Silver Bow is taking property taxes, business equipment tax from these contractors, turning around and using that money to purchase equipment that competes with their own tax payers," says Cary Hegreberg with the Montana Contractors Association.
Butte Silver Bow has been using this rock crusher from 1956. The problem with it is that it's so old and a lot of times it's in repair. Those repairs can cost $40,000 and up.
Public Works Director Dan Dennehy says the local government isn't turning their backs on private contractors by purchasing a new rock crusher.
He says private contractors completed projects like Arizona and Main Street construction, along with water replacement work.
He adds that buying a new rock crusher is a matter of having flexibility and accessibility when needed.
"They work here with us and along side of us and I think we've had a good relationship with our local contractors but on the other hand again, this is a customary local government function. Local governments do have meaning in this state and we believe this is a maintenance issue and we should have that flexibility and I think in the long run it's more effective to tax payers," says Dennehy.
He says purchasing a rock crusher would be more financially stable because the price to hire private contractors can fluctuate from year to year.
Butte Silver Bow government opened bids from rock crusher contracting companies tonight.
The Public Works Department will announce who won the bid in 2 weeks to a month.