Butler Transit Authority’s board of directors voted unanimously at a meeting Tuesday, June 9, to purchase a new skid steer as a replacement for the authority’s forklift.

The authority board agreed to purchase a Bobcat brand track loader at a cost of $86,000. The purchase comes with a heavy-duty bucket and a 60-month or 2,000-hour extended warranty.

Executive director John Paul said he was inspired to switch from a forklift to a skid steer after getting hands-on experience from a construction contractor.

“They let us use (theirs) during last winter’s snowstorms and stuff. It worked out really well,” he said.

The authority also agreed to purchase an angle broom attachment for the skid steer at a cost of $9,332. However, the attachment’s cost was covered by a $10,000 discount in lieu of financing.

Paul said he expects the authority to receive the skid steer in about two weeks.