(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved the purchase of a new excavator for the County Road and Bridge Department when they met Tuesday. 

A 2021 Sany excavator from A-1 Iron Corporation in LaVista, Nebraska will be purchased at a cost of $143,989.  The base bid was $162,489 less the trade-in amount of $18,500 for a 2006 John Deer 120 excavator.  

Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau said the Sany machine is built in Georgia but is just  becoming available in the  U.S.  The machine is to be delivered by April 1.

There were seven bids submitted.   A Hyundai excavator was bid at $131,700 with a trade-in amount allowed at just over $40-thousand,  but the machine would not have been available for delivery for at least four months. 

Commissioners also approved a purchase order for equipment to be installed in two new patrol vehicles that will be paid for with USDA grant funds. The purchase order was in an amount of $4,836.