Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves county excavator purchase; selects option with extended warranty
Summary
Ellis County authorized purchase of a 2021 320 GC excavator from Foley Equipment, selecting the used-option with a five-year/4,000-hour warranty; commission approved the PO and split funding across road and noxious-weed budgets.
The Ellis County Commission on March 18 approved a purchase order (PO 7911) for a 2021 320 GC excavator from Foley Equipment, selecting the option that includes a five-year, 4,000-hour warranty and customer value agreement. Commissioners voted 3-0 to proceed.
Public works staff presented multiple procurement options — including a brand-new machine with a longer warranty and a used option carrying the five-year/4,000-hour coverage — and recommended the used option with the extended warranty. Staff said the warranty and customer value agreement (CVA/CSA) include fluid sampling and parts-credit benefits; staff noted the CVA/CVA cost (discussed at roughly $6,700 in committee discussion) can be cost-effective because it covers potential major repairs over the warranty period.
The department would split the purchase cost between two departments so both the road-maintenance and noxious-weed functions could use the tracked machine. Staff also said the recommended machine is compatible with the county’s existing Cat-style attachment linkage, reducing the need to modify attachments.
During discussion commissioners and staff said a quick-coupler — which would allow faster and safer attachment changes — could be added later, and staff estimated a used quick-coupler can be found for roughly $5,000. Commissioners asked staff to monitor availability of used couplers and consider adding one if budget allows.
The commission’s motion approved the recommended used excavator option with the extended warranty; the motion passed unanimously. Staff will schedule delivery, record equipment on county inventory and adjust operating plans to reflect the new equipment.
