The Slater City Council accepted a bid for a new backhoe during its meeting on Tuesday, March 21.

City Administrator Gene Griffith says the city’s current backhoe is 18 years old.

The council accepted the low bid, which was a $117,800 bid from Caterpillar for a new backhoe. The city is receiving about $65,000 from a Rural Development grant, and the trade in value for the old backhoe is about $30,000; both going to help fund the cost of the new backhoe.

In other news, the city has set dates for two upcoming events. The city is holding a rabies shot clinic on August 13, and a demolition derby on August 26.