FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County's first equipment auction in years drew hundreds of people and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Road Department, County Judge Joseph Wood said.
Washington County took in $755,000 from Thursday's auction. Wood said bidders traveled from several counties to buy equipment that the department no longer needed. The county sold nine 2011 road-graders, several vehicles, miscellaneous heavy equipment parts, an air compressor, bridge trusses and a portable office, among other items.
The money can now be used to repair damage resulting from severe flooding in April, while the county awaits reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Wood said.
The federal government approved a state disaster declaration in June. The approval means the government will help the county cover costs from the 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 damage to public property in Washington County is estimated to be at least $3 million, said John Luther, director of the county emergency management department.
Metro on 08/21/2017