Mowers to keep up county lawns, Silver Comet Trail approved for purchase
Look for the landscaping to look trim and neat at county-owned facilities over the coming months as commissioners approved spending for new lawnmowers to be used by a newly-formed landscaping crew within the public works department.
Unanimous approval was given to purchase four new lawn 60-inch zero turn lawnmowers from Dallas Mower at $8,059.00 each for a total of $32,236.
Commissioner Ray Barber explained in a report from the public works committee during the June session earlier in the month that the mowers were well-needed to ensure that not only county property is well maintained, but also the Silver Comet Trail.
Two mowers had previously been donated to the Sheriff’s Office specifically for use on Silver Comet Trail maintenance, but those mowers were already old and were not allowed through the deal with volunteers who previously kept up trail maintenance.
When the county took over duties in June 2014, the mowers had been used for several years. Now Public Works Director Michael Gravett said the mowers have been repaired several times, and need replacement.
In addition, the two other mowers will be used by the county to keep up their own landscaping. Gravett said that several employees would be specifically tasked with the upkeep of the lawns and shrubs.
The Public Works committee earlier in the month approved a plan to purchase smaller lawn equipment for the crew, which because it fell under a threshold of $10,000 didn’t require full board action to approve.
Gravett said once everything is purchased, his crew will keep a rotating schedule of mowing and outdoor maintenance at the facilities during warmer months.