The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday morning to approve the purchase of a new compact track loader for just over $60,000, replacing the county’s aging 2019 Bobcat model.
The new Caterpillar 265 loader comes with a $96,702 price tag, but a $36,000 trade-in credit brings the final cost to $60,702. County Engineer Bret Wilkinson says the upgrade is necessary due to mounting concerns about the current machine’s reliability.
Wilkinson cited better service access and diagnostic capabilities with Caterpillar equipment as key reasons for switching brands from Bobcat.
The loader is essential for grinding asphalt and ditch work, says Wilkinson, emphasizing the need for high-flow hydraulics to operate attachments like the 18-inch mill head.
To offset the cost of the loader—which was not included in this year’s budget—the county may delay purchasing two pickups or brine tanks originally planned for the fiscal year.
The motion to approve the purchase passed on a 3–2 vote. Supervisors Kelly Snyder and Dan Hartman opposed the decision, citing concerns about making an unbudgeted equipment purchase.
