County approves lease for three new motor graders
Marion County Commission approved a new motor grader lease Monday for three new graders.
Commissioner Randy Dallke voted against the lease and was not specific in his reason for his negative vote. Previous to the vote, Dallke said the graders that would be traded in for the new equipment were in good shape and maybe the county should pay off those graders during the remainder of the 18 months and keep them.
At a commission meeting last week, the county was approached by Foley Equipment Company of Wichita. Salesman Garrett Clay presented a proposal to the commission that would allow Foley to purchase the three 2002 graders for $110,000 to $120,000 each.
At the end of the lease agreement, the county would own the equipment.
The buy-back agreement for the leases required Foley to pay the county a minimum of $88,000 for each grader, should the county choose to sell the equipment and purchase new.
For a limited time, the county has an opportunity to purchase three graders through a government lease for a total of $166,645, after the buy-back amounts are deducted. The three graders retail for $547,045. The county currently owes $69,736 for the remainder of the original lease that ends in 18 months. When the leases end, free maintenance and warranties also end.
Currently the county pays $1,600 per month per machine. The new lease would be $1,501 per month per machine.
County road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet said maintenance and tires will be needed for the 2002 graders. Tires are not included in the maintenance agreement while the equipment is being leased.
Commissioner Bob Hein said he "put a pencil to it" and it's a good deal. He also was in favor of leasing/purchasing the new equipment because there would be a 10 percent savings for fuel.
Dallke asked if the commission should obtain a trade-in deal from Foley for the three oldest graders and keep the three that would be paid in the coming months. It was not made clear if the county would pay on the old lease and the new lease.
In the end, the commission voted 2-1 to trade the three, 2002 graders still on a lease agreement and purchase through a lease agreement three 2006 graders on a five-year lease.
Prairie Days
planned at refuge
The 18th annual Prairie Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 3-4 at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, north of Canton.
The event includes hourly tours to see buffalo and baby calves and mothers, stage coach rides, mountain men camps and traders, demonstrations, and arts and crafts. Concessions will be available.
Musical entertainment includes Tall Grass Express string band and Sons of the Konza Prairie.
Admission is $2 per person, children under 4 are free. Additional charges for buffalo tours and stage coach rides. All musical entertainment and demonstrations are free.
For more information call (620) 628-4455.
