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Hall County approves new tractor lease, buys John Deere motor grader and eyes broadband progress
Summary
The Hall County Board approved a lease-to-own for a John Deere tractor and boom mower, voted to purchase a motor grader off state bid and declared an older grader surplus for auction; public works also updated the board on rural fiber installation by Lumen and ongoing roadwork.
Hall County commissioners on the latest agenda approved three public-works items intended to maintain roads and speed rural broadband access.
At the meeting the board approved a four‑year lease‑to‑own for a John Deere tractor with a TGR boom mower, with annual payments reported at about $51,823.74. Commissioners then voted to purchase a John Deere 770G motor grader off the state bid and to surplus the county’s Caterpillar motor grader with a $65,000 reserve to be listed by auction. The motions carried by unanimous voice votes.
Public works director (speaker 14) told the board the motor grader purchase came from a state contract and recommended selling the trade‑in at auction rather than accepting the $65,000 trade‑in offer; an auction firm told the county it could likely exceed that reserve even after fees.
The department also reported progress on road projects, including raising Road 130th about a foot and installing new culverts to improve drainage. On broadband, the county’s crews have been coordinating with Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) as crews install fiber; most rural miles should see improved access, though some areas such as Wood River need additional grant funding before work can be completed.
The board asked staff to confirm specifications and timelines for bid openings tied to upcoming ARPA funding requests and to continue working with auctioneers and vendors to maximize sale proceeds from surplus equipment.
