Keith County opens bids for agriculture tractor; commissioners to review offers before budget decision

The Keith County Board of Commissioners opened sealed bids for a county agriculture tractor and noted bids will hold for 30 days while staff checks specifications and compares open-market options. Bids received ranged from $110,000 for a 2015 New Holland T8 to $181,490 for a 2017 John Deere model. Why it matters: the purchase will fund county road maintenance and mowing operations and must be budgeted; commissioners said they want a recommendation on model, hours and remaining life before committing funds. Bids opened at the meeting included: - First Century Equipment: 2014 John Deere 8295R for $170,000 (specs included in bid packet). - First Century Equipment (second unit): 2017 John Deere 8295R for $181,490.17 with reported hours of 4,468 so listed. - Mitch Hibner (North Platte): 2015 New Holland T8 360, 3,800 hours, quoted $110,000. - Acres Equipment (North Platte): 2015 John Deere 7215R (listed hours 4,587), quoted $112,000. Commissioners instructed staff and the road superintendent, Thomas Wilbur, to review the bids and compare them to vehicles offered at an upcoming auction that matches the county's spec sheet. Staff will return with a recommendation and a proposed budget number so the board can decide whether to purchase a unit and how to handle disposal or sale of any replaced equipment. No award was made at the meeting; bids were received and recorded and will be valid for 30 days per bid documents. Road staff emphasized the county may prefer to sell replaced equipment at auction rather than trade it in to maximize returns. The board will review staff's recommendation and return to the issue for a formal purchase decision and appropriation.