Washington County auction brings in $755,000

A mini excavator was available Thursday during Washington County’s Road Department auction in Fayetteville.
A mini excavator was available Thursday during Washington County’s Road Department auction in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The first equipment auction in years drew hundreds of people and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Washington County Road Department, County Judge Joseph Wood said.

The county took in $755,000 from Thursday's auction. Wood said bidders came from several counties to buy equipment the county no longer needed. The county sold nine 2011 graders, several vehicles, miscellaneous heavy equipment parts, an air compressor, bridge trusses and a portable office, among other items.

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The money can be used to pay for damages from the April flooding while the county awaits reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Wood said.

The federal government approved the state disaster declaration in June. The approval means the government will help the county cover costs from flash flooding that washed away roads and bridges. The federal share of public assistance for the county is 75 percent of the eligible cost. The county pays 25 percent.

Storm damages to public property in Washington County is estimated to be at least $3 million, said John Luther, county emergency management department director.

NW News on 08/19/2017

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