Broadwater County approves purchase of two weed‑district trucks up to $80,000

Broadwater County commissioners approved a request from the county weed coordinator to add two vehicles to the weed‑management fleet.

Jessica Bushnell, the county's weed coordinator, said the vehicles were identified to meet program needs: one 2019 truck will be refitted with a flatbed and water to serve as a tender, and another (a 2022 model) will be used for landowner visits and equipment towing. "The 2019 will be a flatbed and used as a tender vehicle," Bushnell said, adding the oldest Chevy will be phased out and sold.

The purchase had previously been budgeted at up to $80,000; Bushnell and staff reported the two vehicles came in at about $67,000 combined. A commissioner moved to approve the purchase up to the $80,000 authorization, a second was recorded, and the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Bushnell said crews have treated roughly 90% of county roads for noxious weeds so far this season and reported low mosquito trap counts to date. Commissioners and staff encouraged residents with questions about noxious weeds to call the weed office for site visits and management advice.

The motion passed by voice vote; no roll‑call votes or individual tallies were recorded in the public minutes.