The Independence City Commission yesterday approved a bid for a new tractor and brush hog for use in the street department. Prairieland Partners submitted the winning bid, with the John Deere 5065E tractor and HX7 brush hog both either meeting or exceeding the specs required by the city.

The bid also met the city's budget, coming in at a total of just over $43,000 for both the tractor and the brush hog. The closest service center for the combination is also in Independence. Other bids offered to the city did not meet spec requirements, were over budget, or did not have a service center nearby.

The tractor and brush hog will replace a 1977 tractor and brush hog currently used by the street department for mowing rights-of-way and nuisance lots.