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Roads director and committee debate buy vs. lease for 13 graders; no final procurement vote
Summary
Washington County roads staff presented options to replace route graders—buy new or enter leases—sparking debate over total long‑term cost, trade‑in uncertainty and effects on the 2026 budget; committee directed inclusion of a procurement plan in the budget process but did not approve a purchase tonight.
Washington County roads staff told the Finance and Budget Committee they are evaluating two main options to replace a fleet of 13 route graders: a one‑time buy that would require a substantial up‑front appropriation or leasing packages that staff say would be budget‑neutral in the near term.
Roads superintendent representatives, including Bart Ledgerwood, told the committee that the John Deere lease proposal included no end‑of‑term balloon payment and that John Deere would assume the buyout so the county could move into another lease at contract expiration. The Caterpillar option showed a higher trade‑in value on initial inspections but staff warned that after months of additional use and post‑inspection repairs, the trade‑in allowance could drop or require the county to pay for repairs.
Ledgerwood and other roads staff argued the lease option shifted maintenance and downtime risk to the dealer. They said the county has experienced high, unpredictable maintenance costs on older equipment and that a lease with maintenance included could be cheaper and would avoid large intermittent maintenance spikes.
Committee members pressed for 15‑ and 20‑year total cost comparisons between repeated leases and outright purchase with a rotational replacement plan. Comptroller Sherman, who is preparing the 2026 budget, confirmed that grader payments and maintenance assumptions will be included in the budget draft and that staff can put the most likely lease option in the ordinance for Quorum Court consideration.
No procurement contract or ordinance was approved at the committee meeting. Members discussed budget timing and the practical problem that equipment in production could be delayed if the county pushed procurement decisions past current lead times.
Committee chair and roads leadership will supply a talking paper and a recommended budget line for the graders for the 2026 draft so the Quorum Court can consider either a capital purchase appropriation or a lease package when it reviews the budget.
