Staff recommends the City Council approves the purchase of a 2022 tractor/mower from Torgerson's LLC in the amount of $96,325 less trade of unit #1227 for $6,500 for a net total of $89,825.

The purchase of the 2022 tractor/mower is approved for replacement in the FY22 Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP) and FY22 Street and Traffic budget.  The tractor is used to mow non-irrigated rights-of-way adjacent to City owned or maintained property, including ditch banks.The 2022 tractor/mower was advertised on April 1st and April 8th, 2022, in the Yellowstone County News and on the City's website.  Bids were opened on April 19th and three bids were received with one missing a bid security bond.  Torgerson's, LLC submitted the lowest, responsible bid. 

City Council may:

• Approve purchasing the 2022 tractor/mower; or,
• Not approve the purchase.  If not approved, employees will continue to be subject to dust and debris while mowing during windy and dry conditions due to not having a cab on the current tractor. Inefficiencies created by lower travel times to and from jobsites and diminished quality from utilizing improper equipment for mowing ditch banks will continue.

The City received three bids for the 2022 tractor/mower as shown below:

Vendor	Base Price	Trade	Net Price
Normont Equipment	$96,045.00	$0.00	$96,045.00
Torgerson's, LLC	$96,325.00	$6,500.00	$89,825.00
C & B Operations	Non-responsive bid

The 2022 tractor/mower was budgeted in FY22 using Street Maintenance District funds.  The amount budgeted was $86,000.  The price is higher than budgeted and the shortfall will be funded by savings realized on other equipment purchased in FY22.