SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Road and Bridge department has accepted a bid to purchase a motor grader from Papé Machinery.  

Bonner County commissioners approved the purchase of a 2026 John Deere AWD grader for $409,750, with a guaranteed buyback of $340,000.  

The decision stems from a Dec. 3 open bid where the department received two bids for the 2026 grader — one from Western States Cat for $370,160 with a guaranteed buyback of $180,000 and the one from Papé Machinery.  

The guaranteed buyback will occur at the end of a five-year contract.  

Road and Bridge Director Jason Topp explained in the meeting that while Papé Machinery’s bid appears higher in price, the difference of its purchase package minus the buyback amount is $69,750 as opposed to Western States Cat’s difference equaling $190,160.  

“For Papé, we’d be looking at roughly $33,000 for payments annually. It costs me right about $35,000 a month to rent one, so that’s a pretty good deal for the county buying the Papé machine,” Topp said. “It’s cheaper to go with the Papé, even though it has the higher initial price for financing at the end of the day. It’s a better deal for the county all the way around.” 

Commissioners unanimously approved the bid, noting their amazement with the buyback price offered by Papé Machinery.