Treasure County commissioners approve RDO bid for motor grader, to use federal mineral royalties pending reimbursement

The Treasure County Commission voted Oct. 21 to accept RDO's lower delivered bid for a motor grader after opening competing proposals from a John Deere dealer and a CAT dealer.

"I make a motion we accept the RDO bid," said a commissioner during the meeting; the motion was put to a voice vote and carried. Commissioners discussed the two options and the effect of an estimated trade allowance for the county on the Volvo.

RDO's package was described on the record as a delivered price of about $280,000 after an estimated $20,000 trade-in allowance for the county9s existing Volvo grader; the competing RDO/John Deere/CAT options reviewed at the meeting showed differences in accessories, availability and timing. Commission discussion noted that the RDO option could be available for immediate delivery, while some other options required factory ordering with later delivery dates.

Commission staff said the county will pay the vendor from federal mineral-royalty funds and that the county expects to be reimbursed under a cohort/Department of Commerce arrangement. Commissioners instructed staff to obtain the vendor's invoice and documentation needed for payment and reimbursement.

The commission's acceptance of the RDO bid clears the way to remove the county's older Volvo from service, a point several commissioners stressed as important for road maintenance operations. The commission voted in favor of the motion on the record; staff will follow up to complete the purchase paperwork and confirm delivery dates.