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Committee approves $36,200 mower purchase from highway fund; staff give salt-shed, hiring updates
Summary
Highway staff requested and the committee approved a $36,200 budget amendment to replace a side flail mower damaged beyond repair; staff also reported a filled shop superintendent post, upcoming retirements, and a DOT structural review of the county salt shed.
The committee approved a $36,200 purchase and installation of a replacement side flail mower after highway staff said the existing unit was damaged beyond in-house repair. Agency official (Speaker 2) told members the department initially planned to repair the machine but discovered the damage was too extensive and requested the mower be purchased from the highway fund. "We are requesting $36,200 for purchase and installation of a new side flail mower," Speaker 2 said.
Speaker 2 said the old unit’s salvage value is about $33,200 but that the equipment is unusable; the department consulted finance and determined the deductible and insurance outcome made a direct repair impractical and that the purchase should be covered from existing highway funds. The department also said the replacement mower will be shipped to the manufacturer in South Dakota for installation and returned to the county when complete.
Committee members clarified procedural routing and thresholds for purchases. Presenter (Speaker 3) asked whether the highway fund allocation was part of the budget process; staff replied the mower was not budgeted and that finance advised transferring highway funds to cover the expense. The transcript records a final recorded tally of 4–0 in favor of the budget amendment; the chair called the vote and members responded "aye." The motion passed.
In related updates, staff said a vacant shop superintendent position was filled that day, the maintenance superintendent is retiring in March and interviews are underway for a foreman and an operator; the department expects to be close to fully staffed by April. Staff also said the county’s salt shed, a joint venture with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, will receive a structural analysis by a DOT-hired consultant and that potential deficiencies could lead to cost-sharing conversations with the DOT.
The committee set its next meeting for the fourth Monday in March and adjourned after approving the mower purchase.
