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Council approves John Deere backhoe purchase to be paid from Oakwood Cemetery reserve funds
Summary
Council approved purchase of a John Deere backhoe for $126,008.63, following staff recommendation and a review of three comparable bids; staff said the Oakwood Cemetery Reserve Fund (funded by a dedicated mill) and equipment budgets can cover the cost.
Council approved staff’s recommendation to purchase a John Deere backhoe after reviewing three comparable bids. Staff presented three bids for a 2025 backhoe: Foley Cat at $150,000, John Deere at $126,008.63 and Case at $134,797; trade‑in offers for the existing 2015 Case 580 ranged from $27,000 to $35,000. Staff said John Deere provided a demo and that warranties were comparable across bids, and recommended the John Deere bid as the best value.
The council asked about funding. Staff said the Oakwood Cemetery Reserve Fund had sufficient balance to pay cash for the backhoe and a skid steer and explained the reserve is funded by a dedicated mill levy. Staff also said the replacement had been budgeted in the 2025 equipment budgets for Public Works and the Electric Utility and that those departments would split the cost if appropriate. A council member moved to accept the John Deere bid ($126,008.63); the motion was seconded and the council approved the purchase by voice vote.
Staff said they would list the existing machine on Purple Wave to seek roughly $35–$40,000 in sale proceeds to offset the new purchase cost. The council approved the purchase and directed staff to proceed with the procurement steps described by staff.
