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County authorizes lease program for road graders, Judge given signing authority
Summary
Harney County court authorized the county judge to sign lease paperwork to continue a five-year grader lease program with Western States. Roadmaster Eric Uschela said leasing yields lower hourly cost and warranty coverage; the annual lease payment cited was $57,000.
Harney County Court on Oct. 15 authorized County Judge Hart to sign lease documents that will continue the county's five‑year equipment lease program for motor graders.
Roadmaster Eric Uschela briefed the court on the county's experience with leased graders. Uschela said Harney County typically operates four graders accruing roughly 1,000 hours a year each and that a recently expiring lease compares favorably to outright purchase when measured on a per‑hour basis.
Uschela told the court the annual lease payment under the proposed arrangement is $57,000, which he said equates to about $57 per hour at 1,000 hours; he noted prior leased equipment yielded roughly $38–$40 per hour. Leasing, he said, keeps equipment under warranty and simplifies budgeting because the county can roll leases to a new machine after the term ends.
The court discussed repair history and life-cycle costs of owned equipment; Uschela said a county-owned grader bought in 2010 required a major rebuild in 2020 and that such overhauls can materially change historic per‑hour costs.
A motion "to authorize Judge Hart to sign any of the contractual lease documents regarding this matter" passed by voice vote without recorded opposition. County staff said the lease vendor is Western States and that the outreach and remote maintenance locations include Drewsey, Andrews and Diamond.
Votes at a glance: Motion to authorize Judge Hart to execute grader lease documents (Western States) — approved by voice vote.
