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Commission directs staff to negotiate purchase of tractors and equipment trade for fairgrounds
Summary
After debate about capacity and costs, the commission voted to move forward with a proposed contract to acquire tractors for the fairgrounds and negotiate an advertising-for-equipment trade with Lone Star Ag; financing would come from reserves and exact advertising terms remain under discussion.
The Curry County Commission directed staff to proceed with negotiating a contract to acquire two tractors for the county fairgrounds and to explore a trade with Lone Star Ag that could include a three-year leased skid steer or side-by-sides in exchange for advertising commitments.
Event-center manager Mesick told the board the county’s arena operations lack reliable backup equipment: "If we're putting up stalls we can't set up the arena, if we were setting up the arena we can't set up stalls," he said, describing operational conflicts when a single skid steer or tractor is out of service. Mesick recommended a cabless 111-horsepower Kubota for arena work and presented larger 131–141 hp options for heavier dragging and shredding tasks. He also described the vendor's proposal: "If we purchase a new tractor on a Sourcewell purchasing collaborative with Lone Star Ag, they will give us in exchange a lease on a skid steer for the term of 3 years as long as we reciprocate with advertising dollars." (Mesick)
Commissioners focused on compatibility with attachments and drags, the need for a second tractor to service fairgrounds acreage, and where the dollars would come from. Manager Powell said the purchase could be funded from reserves. Finance noted the commission’s reserve balance had fallen during the fiscal year but that reserves exist for needed capital purchases.
Mesick provided specific pricing examples during the presentation: one recommended model (Kubota M6S111SHD, cabless) was listed at $83,395.86; other options and a two-tractor package moved the conversation toward a combined reserve draw the manager later described in discussion as approximately $206,095.84. Mesick said Lone Star Ag proposed advertising consideration valued at roughly $75,000 in return for a skid-steer lease and would negotiate higher advertising credit for additional equipment.
After questions about operations, staffing to run equipment, and possible transfer of existing skid-steer assets between departments, Commissioner Leatherwood moved and the board seconded a motion to have county staff prepare a contract proposal and return it to the commission for final approval. The motion passed on a voice vote; commissioners did not record a roll-call tally on the motion to proceed.
What’s next: staff will negotiate specific contract terms with Lone Star Ag (scope of advertising, number of leased skid steers/side-by-sides, warranty and maintenance terms), return a proposed contract for commission review, and identify accounting entries to draw from reserves if the commission approves final purchase.
