Monroe County issued the following announcement on Jan. 15.
Monroe County Commissioners unanimously approved on Thursday, Jan. 13 to buy a new Public Works tractor to replace one that caught fire last month.
On Dec. 13, a 2019 New Holland tractor caught fire while being driven by Monroe County Road Department employee Kevin Arbogast. County Manager Jim Hedges said the tractor was declared a total loss, but an attached boom mower was salvageable. Monroe County Fire Investigator David Brown determined the fire, which was classified as undetermined and accidental, originated in the rear of the motor under the operator’s control panel and cab.
County Manager Hedges said Tuesday that County Road Superintendent Junior Watts has selected a Massey Ferguson 5712S model tractor with a side boom mower from Lake City-based Atlantic & Southern Equipment, LLC to replace the burned one. County Manager Hedges said the tractor will cost $165,980, but Monroe County received $60,000 in insurance proceeds from the tractor fire that will be used to replace it. He said the remaining balance of $105,980 will come from reserves left over from the 2021 public works department operational budget.
Austell-based Adams Equipment Co., Inc., Griffin-based Wade Tractor & Equipment, and Hiawassee-based Mason Tractor Company also submitted bids.
Rather than declaring surplus the salvaged the boom mower from the burned tractor, District 3 Commissioner John Ambrose recommended keeping it as a backup.
After about 5 minutes of discussion, District 4 Commissioner George Emami motioned to approve to buy the Massey Ferguson tractor, which was seconded by District 1 Commissioner Lamarcus Davis and approved 5-0.
Original source can be found here.
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