MILTON-FREEWATER — Milton-Freewater is dumping a deal for a 2023 Kenworth dump truck for a 2020 Freightliner.

The city council considers the matter during its meeting Monday, Nov. 8, starting at 7 p.m. at the Albee Room in the city library, 8 S.W. Eighth Ave.

The council in June gave its approval for the purchase of the new Kenworth, complete with the installation of snowplow fittings and hydraulics for $186,147, and in August the council approved an additional $1,000 surcharge, according to a memo to the council from Public Works Superintendent Brian Steadman. But on Oct. 11, Kenworth upped the price again, to almost $192,000.

With that, the memo stated, Steadman and City Manager Lind Hall decided to find another plow truck.

Their solution is for the city to purchase a Freightliner that Steadman noted was used as a show vehicle for potential customers, has 12,512 miles on it and comes complete with the plow mounting hardware, hydraulics and touchscreen for about $147,200.

Hall also is asking the city to consider approving FFA Architecture and Interiors Inc. to design the communications system for the new police department.

Hall in a memo to council stated one of the most crucial parts of the new building is the design and engineering of the communications system. The proposal to design the base system is $58,400, but going with a design of a larger scope would cost more than four times that much.

In other business, the council also will consider changing its reconnect fee for utilities to a disconnect fee, a revision that comes with no additional costs to customers.