The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District’s board of directors approved the purchase of multiple heavy machinery items and fleet vehicles at their monthly meeting on Monday (March 2) in Holdrege.
The board voted to approve the purchase of a 2026 CAT D6 XE High Track Crawler Dozer in the amount of $629,300 from Nebraska Machinery Company (NMC, Inc.). In addition, the board gave approval for a 2026 CAT M320 Wheeled Excavator for the price of $381,000 also from NMC. The final piece of equipment approved for purchase from NMC was a Dymax Grapple Bucket at a cost of $57,250.
Directors also gave final approval for the purchase of a used CAT Excavator and thumb from Darr Grain, Inc., in the amount of $130,000.
The 2026 fleet vehicle purchase bids were discussed and approved by directors to three different companies. Four Chevy K15 Crew Cab pickups in the amount of $188,920 was awarded to Pony Express Chevrolet Buick of Gothenburg. In addition, a Chevy K35 Extended Cab dually in the amount of $49,836 and a Chevy K35 Extended Cab for $54,495 was also awarded to Pony Express. Three pickup bids were awarded to Gene Steffy Auto Group of Fremont for Dodge Ram 2500 Tradesman crew pickups for a total of $148,874. Finally, a Nissan Pathfinder in the amount of $36,594 was approved for purchase from Bill Summers Ford of North Platte.
Also at Monday’s Meeting:
- The board approved a proposal from Woods Aitken to assist in the District’s Executive/CEO search.
- Irrigation and Water Services Manager Scott Dicke reported on the 2026 irrigation schedule and gave updates on pipeline installation projects. Dicke said the Central District Water Users have planned their Annual Meeting on March 26, 2026 at the Rodeway Inn in Holdrege.
- Civil Engineer McKinley Harm gave a presentation to the board on the highlights of her participation in the Nebraska LEAD program. She recently returned from an international tour to Morocco, Spain and Portugal with Class 43.
- Civil Engineer Tyler Thulin reported that Lake McConaughy’s elevation was at 3,230.6 feet on Monday (51% capacity). Inflows are approximately 870 cubic feet per second (cfs), while outflows were at 400 cfs. Snowpack in the upper North Platte basin is currently at 52% of median average, the lower North Platte is at 41% of median and the South Platte Basin is at 64%.