Sturgeon County switches to Deere for grading

By MorinvilleNews.com Staff

Sturgeon County – Sturgeon County roads will be handled by a new brand once three John Deere motor graders arrive. County Council unanimously approved administration’s recommendation to purchase three John Deere 872G motor graders from Brandt Tractor.

Expenditures for the purchase of equipment had been approved in the 2011 budget in the amount of $1.1 million less an anticipated sale of existing equipment in the amount of $290,000. Council approved a borrowing bylaw in February that would cover $746,000 of the cost, the remainder to be funded through reserves and taxes.

Tenders for the motor graders were opened at the Apr. 12 meeting of council and subsequently reviewed. After review of the tenders by members of transportation and fleet management, administration recommended the purchase of the Deer equipment. Other motor graders considered were the John Deer 872GP, Caterpillar 160M and Volvo G976.

Although it is not known what the County will recover from the sale of its existing equipment, the equipment purchase will end up $130,155 under original budget figures. The purchase was originally budgeted at $1.1 million, including snow, GPS and other equipment for the units; however, Brandt Tractor’s tender came in at $1,049,845.

The debenture on the new equipment would be taken over a maximum five-year period.

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