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Board weighs options after seller demands full payment before tractor delivery
Summary
A Wisconsin seller told the county it requires full payment before releasing a tractor and snowblower; board members discussed auditor guidance, a board member offer to guarantee payment and use of CIP funds for the purchase, and planned a budget amendment to cover the tractor.
Kelly Hancock reported the tractor and an attached snowblower are assembled and ready in Wisconsin but the seller is requiring full payment before arranging delivery, a departure from the county's usual payment-on-delivery practice. "They're saying...they need payment before they deliver it," Hancock said.
Chair Scott Ward indicated the seller’s demand would create a cash-flow problem under county policy and offered a practical workaround if necessary: "If you can't get it resolved, let me know...I'll guarantee the payment to the dude," Ward said, offering to help by arranging an advance to secure shipment.
Board members discussed alternative approaches: obtaining auditor permission for an exception, routing payment through the county's finance office, or using the airport's non-profit friends group to purchase and then reimburse. A board member said the friends’ fund currently holds about $100, and donations would be solicited if that route is needed.
At the administrative report later in the meeting staff clarified the airport CIP fund balance: "There was over a 100,000, but then the tractor's running through that," staff said, noting the tractor purchase will require a budget amendment from the CIP fund. No formal payment authorization was given at the meeting; Kelly was asked to continue discussions with the auditor and keep the board informed.
Next steps: staff will report back with auditor guidance and exact CIP fund availability; the board asked for a signed purchase agreement or other documentation before any payment and discussed a contingency to arrange an interim guarantee only if necessary.
