Toole County approves purchase of two John Deere graders

Toole County officials approved purchasing two John Deere graders after reviewing quotes and discussing blade and plow options, the meeting transcript shows.

The item as introduced described comparing quotes from John Deere and Caterpillar and cited “a total trade difference price of $393,500 for August delivery.” County speakers discussed additional blade/plow options during the same agenda item, including a standard blade quoted at $14,000 and a folding blade quoted at $34,000. A motion to proceed with the purchase was made and seconded and the board approved the purchase by voice vote.

Why it matters: The graders are capital equipment for the county road program and the purchase reduces the amount available in the current road fund appropriation, officials said during the discussion.

Meeting details and figures cited in the transcript were inconsistent in places. The item introduction gave $393,500 as the trade-difference price; later remarks during the motion referenced $392,500. County speakers also discussed a combined $48,000 price for two blade options (standard and folding) and mentioned other larger totals in passing; the transcript does not provide a single, unambiguous final total for all combinations. The board directed staff to proceed with the purchase as presented and to follow up on whether the folding plow would be added or handled on a subsequent agenda.

Speakers noted there was budget capacity in the county road fund to cover the purchase. One speaker stated a current road fund balance figure of $556,000 during the discussion, but the transcript does not record a formal written budget amendment or a line-by-line funding authorization in the meeting minutes.

The graders were expected for August delivery, and staff were to confirm any optional blade/plow purchases or amendments at a later time.