Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves purchase of two Caterpillar motor graders after staff explains trade-in plan
Summary
Road department proposed buying two Cat 150-class graders, noting the purchase slightly exceeds the budget but trade-in options and potential outside buyers could offset the overrun; the board approved the purchase agreement by voice vote.
Bremer County approved a road-department purchase of two new Caterpillar 150-class motor graders after staff explained the trade-in strategy to cover a small budget overrun.
Road department staff said the purchase includes trading in three existing machines and that the total cost after trade-ins was reported to the board as roughly $597,000, compared with a new-equipment budget line of $575,000. The director explained they have asked the vendor to look for an outside buyer to increase trade-in value and reduce the county’s net cost: “We've gone with the 1 forties previously. In the new design, the 1 40 has a smaller 7.3 liter motor in it,” he said while describing why the larger 150-class machine is preferred for county needs. A motion to approve the Ziegler/Caterpillar purchase agreement was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Officials said the county typically finds buyers among construction companies for older units, which helps offset purchase costs. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.
