County approves front‑end loader, discusses tractor replacements and road projects

Public works staff outlined ongoing and upcoming road and trail work, and commissioners approved a front‑end loader purchase and instructed staff to prioritize tractor replacements through the CIP.

The county engineer and public works director reviewed projects including St. John's Road, the main trail, Butter/Butter Blunt Road, King Road drainage improvements and upcoming Mary Todd road appraisals. For King Road drainage staff described roadside ditches and easement needs to improve drainage and protect the base of the roadway.

Clinton Wells, director of public works, presented bids to replace an aging front‑end loader: "We got four bids back. Hills Machinery, which is the Hitachi dealer... was the cheapest — 180 thousand dollars," he said, and the board approved buying the loader with sales tax and CIP funding. The board also discussed shorter‑term mowing and equipment limitations, noting older tractors (including a 2008 model) need replacement; staff recommended buying one smaller tractor now and reassessing the fleet plan.

Commissioners asked staff to prioritize capital replacement of smaller tractors in the CIP and to pursue timely bids for roads set to go to bid in July. Public works said some projects will go out to bid in July and contractors are being scheduled so work can be staged to keep roads passable during construction.