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Reno County approves purchase of 2019 Kubota tractor and 7‑foot rotary cutter for sheriff's property maintenance
Summary
The Reno County Commission approved buying a 2019 Kubota MX5200 tractor and a Land Pride 7‑foot rotary cutter for $29,350 to be paid from the sheriff's general fund after questions about contracting versus ownership and maintenance were raised.
Reno County commissioners on Tuesday approved the sheriff's request to buy a 2019 Kubota MX5200 tractor and a Land Pride 7‑foot rotary cutter for a combined $29,350 from Schmidt and Sons, to be paid from the sheriff's general fund equipment line item (line 7100).
County staff told commissioners the sheriff's office had gone to bid to bring mowing and other grounds work in‑house at several county properties including the landfill, the jail facility and the shooting range at Avenue G. Sheriff’s staff will operate the machine, and maintenance will be handled “in house as much as possible,” staff said.
The move followed discussion about whether contracting mowing would be cheaper than owning and maintaining equipment. Commissioner discussion requested a cost comparison between contract mowing and ownership including depreciation and maintenance. Commissioner Parks moved to table the item at an earlier meeting to allow for more information; after additional discussion and a staff appearance by Sergeant Van Sykes clarifying broader uses, the commission voted to approve the purchase.
Sergeant Van Sykes, representing the sheriff’s office, told the commission the tractor would not be used just for mowing: “We do train 365 days a year…we also have to have a way to maintain [the parking lot and roads] and remove snow from that type of area,” he said, describing multiuse needs including road and parking‑lot maintenance.
Commissioners noted the shooting range acreage (discussed as about 15–20 acres) and that mowing frequency there would be more than monthly but likely not weekly. Commissioners also discussed maintenance capacity; public works staff indicated they could assist with some maintenance tasks but not routine operation.
After the motion to approve the purchase, commissioners voted unanimously in favor.
The tractor and cutter will be purchased from Schmidt and Sons, 2019 Kubota MX5200 ($24,750) and a Land Pride 7‑foot rotary cutter ($4,600), total $29,350. The sheriff’s office will fund the purchase from its general fund capital/equipment line item, county staff said.
