City of Dawson unable to produce records on excavator repairs, surplus equipment sales

.A starter visible on the city of Dawson’s mini excavator appears noticeably newer than surrounding engine components in photographs taken April 15 at the city barn. City records provided through Open Records requests confirmed the purchase of a replacement starter, though no documentation related to a replacement engine or additional repair work had been provided at the time of publication. Staff Photo: Kathryn Crockett

DAWSON — Questions surrounding the city of Dawson’s inoperable mini excavator, missing maintenance documentation and the disposal of surplus equipment have continued to grow following an April 9 city council discussion in which city officials acknowledged the machine remained out of service despite previous repair efforts.

During the meeting, interim City Manager Roxie Powell told council members the city’s mini excavator was unusable and that the city had purchased a rebuilt motor that “won’t turn on.” Powell also stated the city had attempted additional repairs, including replacing the starter, but the machine still would not operate. When Councilwoman Sondra Walker questioned whether the city had effectively spent the $10,000 previously approved by the council on an engine without fixing the excavator, Powell replied, “Yes, ma’am.”

The discussion arose as city officials considered using privately owned equipment to complete utility work because the city lacked functioning equipment to perform the work itself.

However, in a follow-up conversation after the meeting, City Attorney Tommy Coleman confirmed that no replacement engine was ever purchased for the mini excavator, though documents verifying the initial purchase request or financial statements confirming that information were not made available.

The excavator remained stored at the city barn on April 15, according to photographs taken at the site. The images appeared to show a newer starter installed on the machine.

Information later obtained from Yanmar Compact Equipment North America indicated the engine currently in the machine was the original factory-installed engine. In an email response, Product Support Specialist Blake Eaton stated, “Engine serial No. 69736 is original to the machine.”

The statement from Yanmar aligns with Coleman’s clarification that no replacement engine had been installed on the machine, despite statements made by Powell during the April 9 council discussion referencing the purchase of a $10,000 rebuilt motor.

A purchase order provided by the city confirms the city of Dawson purchased a “Starter for Mini Excavator” from Whatley Oil & Auto on March 31 for $381.37.

No invoices, work orders, engine replacement records, maintenance records or documentation confirming the purchase or installation of a replacement engine — beyond the starter purchase order — had been provided by the city at the time of publication.

Information related to the excavator repairs, equipment records and financial statements was initially requested through an Open Records request submitted April 22. Following a May 4 meeting with Powell, a narrower revised request was submitted seeking documentation specifically tied to the excavator repairs, purchase approvals, open purchase accounts, surplus equipment and related financial records.

As of publication, the only documentation provided by the city in response to those requests was the purchase order for the starter and an email response addressed to former city superintendent Michael Knight outlining pricing for replacement motors directly from the manufacturer.

Questions surrounding the excavator also have highlighted broader concerns over city equipment, maintenance capabilities and inventory tracking.

During the April 9 council meeting, officials discussed the city’s inability to complete certain repairs internally because it lacked functioning equipment or sufficient resources. The excavator issue emerged during discussion of a sewer line installation on Sixth Avenue, where Powell said the city would likely need to rely on privately owned equipment to complete the work.

In a subsequent May 4 discussion, Powell described the mini excavator as “some years old” and estimated it was “maybe six years or more,” though no verification was provided.

The comments came as city officials debated whether investing additional money into the machine made financial sense. Powell stated during that conversation that replacing the engine could cost “four or five thousand” dollars, while a new machine could cost approximately $40,000. However, according to statements made during the April 9 meeting, Powell had previously presented a request for $10,000.

No documentation establishing the excavator’s purchase date, maintenance history, repair history or age has been provided by the city.

The equipment concerns extend beyond the excavator itself.

According to inventory and disposal information most recently provided by Powell, the city previously disposed of several pieces of equipment and vehicles, including a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado reportedly sold to Anthony Brown for $100; a backhoe, forklift and two military pumps reportedly sold to Davis Atkins for $2,000; and an “older model John Deere Utility Vehicle” reportedly sold to Dennis Scott and paid for by Rodney Gardner for $300.

During the May 4 discussion, Powell said records existed showing the transactions and said some payments were made by check, while at least one payment included cash. However, no bank records, deposit receipts, canceled checks or other financial documentation verifying the transactions had been provided at the time of publication.

The status and location of additional surplus inventory listed on a January 2026 inventory document also had not been independently verified.