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Board authorizes county engineer to pursue replacement gradall—budget capped at $550,000
Summary
Supervisors authorized the county engineer to pursue purchase of a replacement grade-all machine — favoring a gently used unit — with an authorization not to exceed $550,000 and plans to offer the existing unit for auction.
The Blackhawk County Board of Supervisors on July 15 authorized the county engineer to pursue replacement of a 2010 Gradall-style machine and to expend up to $550,000 for that purpose, citing an updated purchasing policy that allows acquisition of used heavy equipment without full formal bidding.
Why it matters: The machine is used daily for culvert work, ditch cleaning, storm response and other road-maintenance needs across the county. Staff said a new comparable machine exceeds $600,000; lightly used units with 400–500 hours were found at substantially lower cost.
What the board approved County Engineer Kathy told the board the replacement is in the budget for $550,000 and that buying a gently used machine from a reputable dealer could save the county a six-figure premium over a new unit. Wayne, the county road superintendent, described the current machine as essential: it can travel countywide quickly and is used for culvert installation, cleanup after storms and occasional snow work. “It’s a very versatile machine for us,” Wayne said.
Procurement details and resale of old unit Staff described next steps: prepare a short specification, solicit quotes from reputable dealers (Murphy Tractor and others were named as potential sources), evaluate third-party warranty options (powertrain/full-machine coverage and certified-preowned packages were discussed), and, if needed, purchase promptly to avoid losing a found machine on the market. Zach McFarland, shop foreman, said the current machine (a 2010 model) has about 8,500 hours and could fetch an estimated $15,000–$17,000 at auction; staff recommended using an experienced auctioneer to maximize return.
Legal/policy note County staff and one supervisor referenced the county’s updated purchasing policy (amended last year), which permits purchase of used vehicles and equipment without full competitive bidding where appropriate; staff said the policy prefers competitive quotes but recognizes used-equipment markets can be idiosyncratic. The board signaled comfort with the engineer proceeding within the $550,000 cap and returning for additional funds if necessary. A roll-call resolution directing the county engineer to proceed with procurement under the policy was approved.
Ending Staff will solicit and compare options, pursue third-party warranty coverage if available, and list the existing machine for public auction; the board asked for a follow-up report once staff identifies a specific unit or if additional funds are needed.
