Carroll County approves commercial mower purchase for fire department; one commissioner abstains

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7 authorized the fire department to purchase a commercial lawn mower from ASC, citing a five-year/2,500-hour extended warranty as the deciding factor.

Fire Chief Dave Wade told commissioners the department operates two mowers to maintain 17 sites, including 15 fire stations, headquarters and the training center. He said one mower recently suffered a motor failure and that the department had solicited three quotes. Chief Wade recommended ASC because its extended warranty best fits the department's heavy use. "Their extended warranty ... was a 5 year to a 2500 hour warranty," Wade said.

A commissioner announced an abstention on the item before the vote; the transcript records the statement "I'm gonna be abstaining from this," but does not identify the speaker by name on the record. The board approved the purchase by voice vote (motion, second; tally not specified). The transcript does not include the purchase price line-item in the discussion for the mower; Chief Wade described specifications sought (60-inch cut, at least 26-horsepower engine, commercial grade) and the board accepted the recommendation.

County staff will proceed with the procurement consistent with the accepted quote and warranty selection; the transcript does not include a contract number or dollar amount for this specific mower purchase.