The Franklin County Commission on Oct. 29 approved the purchase of two Caterpillar 140 all-wheel-drive motor graders for $639,888 after trade-in, funding the purchase from county resources.

County public works staff told commissioners the department had evaluated equipment from three manufacturers, conducted hands-on tests with operators and weighed cost against long-term value. "We've worked with CAT the last 30 years," a public works representative said, and staff recommended buying Caterpillar machines because the county already maintains many Cat parts and service relationships.

Commissioners heard staff summary of the selection process, including that Komatsu did not offer the front-wheel/all-wheel-assist configuration the county requires for winter operations, and that John Deere models were about $100,000 more than Caterpillar when compared "apples to apples." Staff also recommended sealed circle packages and additional scarifiers on the machines; staff said the sealed circle option added about $10,000 per machine.

Public works staff described this as the first time the county has purchased graders outright instead of leasing, and said the county plans a multiyear equipment replacement plan that will present timing and funding for additional replacements.

The motion to approve the purchase passed unanimously by voice vote. Commissioners in the roll call recorded their votes as "yes." No amendments to the motion were recorded.

County staff said the machines will enter county ownership and be integrated into the maintenance cycle; staff also said they expect to return next year to seek funding for further grader replacements consistent with the replacement schedule.

Evidence in the meeting record shows a multiweek procurement process that included demonstrations, operator testing and written bids; commissioners praised staff for engaging employees in the evaluation process.

A follow-up presentation on the county's equipment-replacement schedule is expected to precede future purchases, according to staff remarks during the meeting.