Kimball, Tenn., Mayor David Jackson is seen in this file photo.

KIMBALL, Tenn. - When city officials were working on Kimball's 2012-13 budget, they included the $31,000 estimated cost for a new tractor for the maintenance department.

Late last week, the Kimball Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously to put out bids for a new tractor after the city's current tractor broke down on consecutive days.

Mayor David Jackson said a tractor is essential to the maintenance department.

"We were really hoping to wait until the end of this year or the first of next year [to buy a new tractor]," Jackson said. "The tractor we have is about 15 or 16 years old."

Officials said maintenance supervisor Mike Nelson will draw up the specifications for the bids so the town will get exactly what it needs.

"We can even name the brand we want [in the specifications]," Jackson said.

Nelson said an enclosed cab, which would have heat and air conditioning, was not included in the initial price estimate because that could raise the price to about $55,000.

"An enclosed cab with no heat or air, just the cab, will probably run about $12,000 more," he said.

The city probably will purchase a separate plastic attachment to enclose the cab to help save money, officials said.

Officials said the bids for supplying the tractor must be received by 4 p.m. CDT on Sept. 6.