Commissioners approve lease‑purchase for new John Deere grader for highway department

Warrick County commissioners on May 11 approved the highway department’s request to acquire a John Deere 672 grader via a municipal lease with a lease‑buy option.

Acquisition administrator Sherry Sievers and highway staff told commissioners the county compared John Deere and Caterpillar pricing under Sourcewell cooperative purchasing discounts; the John Deere offer was about $51,038.75 less expensive after discount and McCoy Forestry/Construction offered a larger trade‑in allowance. With the trade‑in and discounts, staff presented a net purchase figure and proposed a 72‑month municipal lease with annual payments and a dollar buyout at term.

Commissioners approved the purchase and authorized ratification to allow Commissioner Seaton to sign the lease documents to avoid delay. Staff said financing and trade‑in details will be finalized through the county’s procurement process and review.