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Greeley County approves CAT motor grader purchase, leases skid steer and repeatedly shifts funds to road operations
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Summary
After opening bids in March the board bought a CAT 12M grader in April, later arranged a purchase agreement and lease options for skid‑steer equipment, and made multiple transfers from the general fund to the road fund during 2012 to support projects and bridge repairs.
Bids for a new motor grader were opened March 27, 2012; representatives from Nebraska Machinery (CAT) and Murphy Tractor (John Deere) presented proposals and trade‑in values to the board. After discussion, the board purchased a CAT 12M motor grader for $138,986.28 (price after trade‑in and a negotiated $5,000 CAT parts credit) at its April 10 meeting. The county received the grader later in the summer and approved the related purchase agreement with CAT Financial Corporation.
The board also considered other equipment and contracting options. It approved a one‑year lease for an NCS PT60 skid steer at the April 24 meeting and reviewed options for a larger PT80. County staff and vendors also discussed bridge repair options and a consultant agreement with the Nebraska Department of Roads for fracture‑critical bridge rating and re‑load assessments.
To fund road operations and projects the board approved multiple inter‑meeting transfers from the General Fund to the Road Fund during 2012 (examples recorded in minutes include $30,000 Jan. 31; $40,000 Mar. 27; $85,000 Apr. 24; additional transfers through the year). Transfers were carried as routine budget‑management actions to cover equipment purchases, bridge projects, and unexpected building and grounds needs that affected overall county budgeting.
The board discussed additional road‑related items including approval of under‑road permits for utilities, public hearings on the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan and ongoing discussions about a county water truck and culvert/road maintenance requests from residents. Road Superintendent Don Roy and Road Assistant Elizabeth Knoop regularly presented project updates and plans to the board.
The board framed equipment purchases and fund transfers as necessary to maintain county road infrastructure and to respond to on‑the‑ground needs for repair, gravel, and emergency equipment.