Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ware County commissioners approve lease of Caterpillar excavator after split vote
Summary
After debate over purchasing or leasing different brands, the board voted 3–2 to lease a Caterpillar excavator at $3,989.88 per month for 60 months; two commissioners voted no.
The Ware County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 10 to lease a Caterpillar excavator at $3,989.88 per month for 60 months after debating purchase versus lease options and comparing three manufacturers.
Commissioners discussed a $195,500 purchase price for a Hyundai excavator, a $259,169 Komatsu purchase price and a $264,840 Caterpillar purchase price. County Manager James Shubert reviewed the numbers and noted the monthly Caterpillar lease of $3,989.88 for five years results in a total lease amount of $239,392.80, which he said is lower than the outright purchase prices of the Komatsu and Caterpillar alternatives.
Chairman Elmer Thrift expressed a preference for the Komatsu, while Commissioner Barry Cox favored leasing Caterpillar because of the lower monthly payment and the buy‑back option at the end of the lease. Commissioner Leonard Burse withdrew a motion to purchase and later moved to lease the Caterpillar excavator; that lease motion passed with Burse, Tindall and Cox voting in favor and Timmy Lucas and Chairman Thrift voting no.
The board did not adopt any purchase; the approved action is a lease. County staff will execute lease paperwork and schedule delivery.
