County awards grader bid to local dealership

Wednesday, October 16, 2002

Red Willow County commissioners purchased a New Holland road grader Tuesday afternoon, saving up to $48,559 over other bids and $56,859 off the $155,000 they budgeted for a new grader.

Bids were received from:

MURPHY EQUIPMENT, North Platte:

- 2002 770CH Series II grader, $158,257; less trade-in (a 1988 John Deere grader) of $25,847; for a total of $132,410.

- 2002 770CH Series II grader, demonstration model with 250 hours, $156,206; less trade-in, $25,847; for a total of $130,359.

NEBRASKA MACHINERY, North Platte:

- 2002 Caterpillar 140H, $166,700; less trade-in, $20,000; for a total of $146,700.

KLEIN'S MOTOR ELECTRIC, McCook:

- 2003 New Holland RG170, $144,986; less trade-in, $25,000; for a total of $119,986.

- 2000 New Holland RG170 demonstration model with 160 hours, $123,141; less trade-in, $98,141.

Each of the three businesses offered a five-year lease/purchase agreement, which, Commission Chairman Earl McNutt felt would provide operators a chance to "learn the true value of a machine."

Fellow commissioner Ed Bass objected to the lease, and the interest that accrues. "I'd sooner own it," Bass said, "than throw money away on leasing."

Bass said he personally likes a Caterpillar, but questioned whether he could justify the $48,559 difference between the Cat and the New Holland.

A motion by Commissioner Steve Downer, in whose district the new grader will be used, to lease the 2000 New Holland died for lack of a second. McNutt's motion to purchase the same grader passed unanimously.

Commissioners received complaints in 2001 when they purchased a Caterpillar road grader despite its purchase price being an average of $21,324 higher than John Deere and New Holland bids. McNutt said this year, "We owe it to the people to try out this new grader." McNutt said it was hard to ignore a nearly $50,000 savings over other bids.

Commissioners had budgeted $155,000 to purchase a new grader, he said.

Commissioners had concerns last year that New Holland has been making industrial equipment for just several years.

McNutt said this year, however, he has visited Hall, Knox and Boyd counties where road crews are using New Holland with very little or no trouble.

McNutt said, "We made a heck-of-a-deal if we don't have a lot of repairs."


Commissioners approved these tax levies:

McCook Schools, District 017: $1.232723

McCook Schools, Affiliated District 8: $1.232723

McCook Schools, Affiliated District 41: $1.232723

Republican Valley Schools, District 109: $1.026651

Twin Valley Schools, District 170: $1,032963

ESU No. 15: $.014307

Bartley: $.305599

Danbury: $.346030

Indianola: $.359456

Lebanon: $.467102

City of McCook: $.319045

City of McCook debt service: $.031926

Bartley, Indianola, Red Willow Western fire districts: $.038000 each

Beaver Valley Fire District: $.038000

Beaver Valley Fire District debt service: $.033762

Danbury Cemetery: $.016141

Hamburg Cemetery: $.009825

Lebanon Cemetery: $.025053

Middle Republican NRD: $.032236

High Plains Historical Society: $.002849

Red Willow County: $.031000


Commissioners will discuss appointments to the Red Willow County fair board at their meeting Oct. 22. Terms are up Dec. 31, 2002, for Bob Haag, Kenny Kircher and LeRoy Leibrandt; Jamie Hansen has resigned his position, which would have expired Dec. 31, 2003.

Commissioners are responsible for appointing fair board members and for filling vacancies, according to Nebraska Association of County Officials rules and regulations. NACO rules also state the nine-member board cannot be made up of more than one representative from each precinct or incorporated city or village at the time of his/her appointment.

Bass encouraged anyone interested in filling a position to contact him, McNutt or Downer.

In other action, commissioners:

* Approved a $171,000 payment to J.L. Construction for the Kiplinger Equestrian Arena metal building. The building will arrive Oct. 25.

- Discussed with Flood Plain Administrator Gary Dicenta the possibility of charging an application fee for construction projects within the county's flood plain. The fee would help the county offset some administrative costs associated with the application and approval process.

- Moved payroll claim day from the fourth to the third Tuesday in November and December, to eliminate conflicts with Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

- Approved insurance claims and received and deposited checks with the county treasurer.

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