By spring, Davison County will upgrade its lawn mowers at two primary office locations.
Davison County commissioners approved Tuesday to purchase two residential mowers, costing a total of $5,338, during their regular meeting at the Davison County North Offices in Mitchell.
The county will purchase two Cub Cadet RTZ S mowers with a 50-inch deck from Campbell's in Mitchell. They normally cost $2,799, but Maintenance Supervisor Mark Ruml said they will cost the county $2,669 each because the county is purchasing two.
The county has been using its current mowers for nine years, and Ruml said both mowers are showing their age by requiring replacement parts and repairs more frequently.
The new mowers will have a larger deck than the previous 42-inch models, include a steering wheel and include zero-turn mowing. They will be placed at the North Offices and at the courthouse.
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"I think we're going to be able to cut our mowing time in half," Ruml said.
The money will come from each building's 2014 budget. The existing mowers will be surplused via auction or sealed bid in 2015.
Commission Chairman John Claggett said the mowers will cost the county about $5 per hour, if they get the same amount of use as the previous mowers, which had 624 and 535 hours apiece on them.
"This is a good way to stay ahead and be ready for next spring," he said.
Other business
During their regular meeting Tuesday, the commissioners:
• Approved an additional travel request for Auditor Susan Kiepke and Highway Superintendent Rusty Weinberg as each were appointed to their respective state association's executive boards and have meetings to attend in December that weren't initially on the 2014 travel request list.
• Heard a comment from Commissioner Brenda Bode, who is concerned about the proposed flooring to be installed at the Davison County Fairgrounds for tennis. She has "a lot of concerns" about how the flooring will hold up with large equipment coming in and would like to hear testimonials about the floor's durability; talks with Avera Queen of Peace and the county continue to make the building available for indoor sports practice.
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• Heard a request for funding from Board Member Rod Titze for Mitchell Senior Citizens, Inc., which operates through the James Valley Community Center; the commissioners have already approved their 2015 budget but will consider allocating money for 2016 next summer.
• Renewed liquor licenses for the Kongo Klub and Wild Oak Golf Club, both of Mitchell, for 2015.
• Approved bills and previous meeting's minutes.
