Hunter County approves purchases of mowers, vehicles, fiber installation and other equipment totaling several million dollars

Hunter County commissioners on Aug. 19 approved a series of capital and equipment purchases across departments, including public works, facilities, and the sheriff’s office. The board approved a purchase from APMAX Equipment Company for two hydrostatic boom mowers not to exceed $532,904.37; a set of hydrostatic broom mower attachments for $105,597.81; a forklift from Atlas Toyota Material Handling for $68,743.51; a compaction roller from Foley Incorporated for $80,300; a trailer-mounted vacuum debris collector for $154,068.67; and a tractor from Powerco for $98,594. Many of the items were identified in the county’s 2025 capital budget, county officials said. Administrator Brad Meyer and county staff explained that the hydrostatic boom mowers have broader operational uses and matched current fleet needs. Meyer said one driver of the change is operator availability, observing that public works staff increasingly need equipment without manual transmissions and that hydrostatic units offer greater interoperability across county garages. The board also approved a contract with Crown Castle Fiber for in‑state installation of an underground fiber network linking buildings at the Route 12 complex, not to exceed $478,640; county officials said the fiber will connect campus buildings and support campus systems. The board approved multiple vehicle purchases (Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles) from Nielsen Ford of Morristown with listed amounts of $69,775.88 each and approved a contract award for year 3 of employee benefits consultant/broker services with Marsh & McLennan Agency under county RFP 56‑2023. All listed requisitions and contracts were moved, seconded and approved by roll call during the meeting; several speakers noted the purchases were budgeted in the 2025 capital plan.