County approves $28,150 grapple purchase and awards $41,500 parking‑lot engineering contract; one commissioner recused

Montezuma County commissioners on March 3 approved two procurement items: purchase of a grapple for the county landfill and an engineering and quality‑control contract for 2026 parking‑lot work.

For the landfill, the board accepted a bid from Four Rivers/John Deere for a Grab Tech RDX280 grapple (106‑inch) for about $28,150 after staff confirmed the model and price met the landfill department head’s request. The motion to approve the purchase was moved and seconded and carried.

On the parking‑lot engineering and quality‑control contract, the board reviewed three sealed RFP responses. Department head Dustin Satler recommended accepting the low bid from Jones and Demill Engineering at $41,500. One commissioner announced a perceived conflict because a great‑nephew had submitted a bid and recused themself from the discussion; the board proceeded with two commissioners carrying the item and approved the contract by motion and vote.

Dustin Satler presented the recommendation to use the low responsive bid for engineering and quality control. "It was recommended by Dustin Satler, our department head, to go with the low bid at $41,500," Satler said during the meeting. The county administrator and staff confirmed the sealed‑bid procurement process.

Next steps: procurement staff will finalize purchase orders and contracts and the departments will schedule delivery and work. The recusal was noted in the record; meeting minutes should reflect the commissioner’s recusal and the relative’s submission to preserve procurement transparency.

Speakers and roles cited in reporting: Dustin Satler (department head), the county administrator and the commissioners; a commissioner recused due to a family relationship with a bidder.