City buys $250k truck, doesn't use it

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (KRQE) - The city of Las Vegas said it needed a new garbage truck so badly that it paid $250,000 for one, but the truck has been sitting 120 miles away in an Albuquerque service yard for months.

Solid Waste Manager Lucas Marquez said the truck had maintenance issues from the first day it bought it last year. According to Marquez, getting it back on the road will cost $3,000.

"From my small little department, it's an impact. It hurts the taxpayer, it hurts myself, and it hurts the maintenance," said Marquez.

The city said repairs should be covered under the truck's 3-year warranty, but officials claim that is not being honored. The Canadian company that built the truck said it needs to see the maintenance records first. Meantime, the truck has been in Albuquerque unused for the last four months.

Las Vegas residents said they're frustrated the city isn't using something taxpayers paid for.

"It's ridiculous," said Las Vegas resident Veronica Martinez. "How could (the city) not pay $3,000 for a repair? We're paying $250,000 for a dump truck, you know, that's crazy."

Marquez said the city will pay to get the truck fixed, but it may pursue legal action against the manufacturer does not reimburse taxpayers.

"They've snubbed their noses at us and say when they get to us, they'll get to us," said Marquez. "We are here to provide the service. We are going to provide the service."