Commission approves $322,000 Mower Max purchase for county highway work

Tommy Humbert of the Delaware County Highway Department presented a request to purchase a Mower Max unit to replace two aging tractors. Humbert said the listed price is $322,402.34, with an auction recovery of $54,983.72, leaving approximately $267,418.62 to be covered. He described the machine's capabilities — a 60‑inch rotary head, capability to reach over guardrails and into ditches, telematics for diagnostics, an all‑season cab and higher road speed — and said the vendor offered warranty support and local maintenance resources.

Commissioners discussed past demonstrations, operational advantages for TIF districts and potential funding sources. One commissioner said the unit could be used across TIF districts and would significantly reduce labor and time compared with current methods. Another commissioner cautioned about the county's overall reliance on highway funding given recent and anticipated revenue pressures.

A motion to approve the purchase was moved and seconded with payment to come from identified TIF allocations. On roll call Mister Kiesling, Commissioner Brand, Commissioner Henry and Mister Wigley voted yes; Miss Green voted no. The motion passed and the county highway department was authorized to proceed with the purchase and recommended operator training and two trained operators be assigned to the unit.

The commission also discussed potential sources for the purchase and asked staff for recommendations on which TIF allocations to use; the presenting official said he could make recommendations if the body chose to proceed.