By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Barton County Commission felt that exercising a buyback option on larger equipment was a good use of funds during their last December meeting. The Commission approved a two-year, buyback option from Bobcat of Salina for a pair of track loaders.
Barton County Works Director Chris Schartz said the buyback option comes with a purchase price of $32,000 for the two 2024 T76 T4 Bobcat Compact Track Loaders.
"It gives us the best option for trade-in value," said Schartz. "It also helps keep the warranty up to date. With those pieces of equipment, with the electronics, there is always something. This year, we're looking at the two-year buyback."
Barton County Road and Bridge purchased two track loaders from the Salina business, one in 2014 and the second in 2017. Both have been updated regularly since the purchase.
Schartz told commissioners one new track loader would cost more than $81,000.