Spencer County Fiscal Court on Dec. 1 authorized a $10,108.97 estimate to repair and reassemble a Kubota tractor that had been under repair and returned in multiple pieces.

Road‑department staff said the tractor had several rounds of work — seals, forks and other components were replaced, and later diagnostics revealed transmission/gear problems requiring deeper work. Commissioners expressed concern about authorization, documentation and the need for clearer pre‑approval for expensive, post‑diagnostic repairs. Several members said they expected to be notified before work reached high cost thresholds.

Despite those concerns, a motion to approve the estimate to restore the tractor (including reassembly, oil changes and test runs) was moved and seconded and carried on a voice vote. Commissioners discussed the practical implications of leaving a piece‑part tractor idle vs. paying for the repair to return it to service, and asked staff to search the records for earlier estimates and to provide clearer documentation of prior work and costs.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the approved repair; the court asked the road department to provide documentation of prior estimates and to tighten approval/notification procedures for significant repairs.

Provenance: Detailed estimates and mechanical discussion occur across the equipment/estimates section (topic introduction SEG 1864; topic finish SEG 2664).