The Gratiot County Board approved two parks and recreation vehicle purchases: a 2026 Chevrolet 2500 LT from Baker Auto Group for $58,525.06 and a compact utility tractor package from Hudson for $43,793.58 (after trade-in). Parks & Recreation staff said the items are daily-use work vehicles that support snow plowing, field maintenance and small projects; the board approved the truck and tractor in separate motions.

Parks presenter (speaker 11) said the current 2016 work truck is losing power and the 2007 John Deere tractor has high hours and limited lift capability. The truck will remain in the county fleet (reassigned to maintenance) rather than being traded in, and the tractor purchase was justified by single-source John Deere pricing but selected from a local vendor for convenience and service.

Commissioner Steve moved to authorize the truck purchase with support from George, and later moved to purchase the tractor with a second supporting motion; both motions carried on voice votes. The purchases were presented with three quotes for the truck and local-supplier justification for the tractor. Staff said the items were budgeted and part of routine fleet replacement planning.

The new equipment will be assigned to parks and maintenance operations and staff will follow county procurement rules for final purchase and acceptance.