Council approves lease of eight zero‑turn mowers and repair of batwing mower

Helena — The Helena City Council approved an equipment lease and a repair request to restore municipal mowing and roadside maintenance capacity.

The administration presented a proposal to lease eight zero‑turn mowers (five for the street department, two for the landfill and one for the water department) through a 36‑month lease. The package was described in the packet as roughly $12,000 per mower, with the total financed amount estimated near $97,000; the monthly payment shown was $2,330.40 and the interest rate noted was 7.25 percent. The administration said the water department and landfill would each absorb the cost of the units assigned to them.

Council discussion touched on trade‑in and residual value questions. The administration said the current machines are leased; when returned they can be taken back by the vendor and new units supplied under the lease. The clerk and mayor said specific buy‑back or trade‑in values were not included in the packet and could be provided if the council wanted them.

Council members also approved paying for a repair to a batwing mower (estimates discussed in the meeting ranged in the low thousands; one figure mentioned was $6,007.20). The council emphasized maintenance and operator training as ways to reduce future equipment breakdowns.

A motion to approve the lease and the batwing repair passed on roll call. During the vote Miss Davis said the equipment purchase was needed for essential services; a council member added, “I think this is an essential service.”

The council directed staff to provide the detailed trade‑in/residual figures and noted the water and landfill departments would reimburse or absorb costs for the units assigned to them.