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Wymore council reallocates ARPA funds, approves John Deere 320 backhoe and employee benefit changes
Summary
After a failed grant, the council rescinded a prior ARPA allocation for a parking lot and reallocated funds to purchase a John Deere 320 backhoe for $142,000; the council also approved employee vacation increases, a higher comp-time cap, and an Ameritas employer match up to 8%.
Wymore — The City of Wymore on Dec. 4 rescinded a prior $40,000 ARPA allocation for the Community Center parking lot after not receiving a Thomas Foundation grant, reallocated $40,000 of ARPA funds toward equipment, and approved the purchase of a John Deere 320 backhoe.
Utility Superintendent Tim Sedlacek presented quotes for a John Deere 310 (would need to be ordered, arriving in August at next-year pricing) and a John Deere 320 (in stock and deliverable in roughly three weeks at current pricing). Sedlacek noted that the 320’s immediate availability and current-year pricing made it the less expensive option. The council voted to rescind the Nov. 6 allocation of $40,000 in ARPA funds for the Community Center parking lot and to reallocate $40,000 of ARPA funds toward the backhoe purchase; both motions carried 4-0.
The council approved quote #31902779 (Sourcewell Contract #011723-JDC) to purchase a John Deere 320 backhoe for $142,000 without trade-in, with a $4,140 warranty. The motion to approve the purchase carried 4-0.
Separately, the council approved changes to employee compensation: vacation accrual increases (three weeks after five years, four weeks after ten years), increasing the comp time limit to 32 hours, and revising the employer match to Ameritas to "up to 8%" of employee wages. Those personnel changes passed 4-0.
Other business: Council authorized a waiver request for North Central Emergency Vehicles invoice #1010202401, approved transfers of Community Center rents into a special money market account, allowed downtown lights to be turned off for holiday events, moved the Jan. 1 meeting to Jan. 2, and approved continuing staff appreciation with community cash certificates.
What’s next: The city attorney will prepare a resolution for any required surplus property sale documentation (e.g., the 2017 Police Department SUV to be listed on Purple Wave). The backhoe is expected to be delivered in roughly three weeks if in-stock pricing and availability hold.
