CAIRO — A dispute between Grady County and Ag-Pro Companies regarding the repair of a county vehicle has been resolved after the company offered to waive a $7,000 invoice and fix the machine for free.

“We want to continue having good relationships with everyone in the county,” said an Ag-Pro representative who did not wish to be identified. “We’re making this right because it turned out to be our error.”

Ag-Pro had previously provided the county with a $7,000 invoice for labor performed to a 26-year-old motor grader in September after the county refused to go forward with a repair that would have cost more than they anticipated.

County officials said they understood that the labor and subsequent repair would be covered by warranty based on a statement made by an Ag-Pro representative.

Additionally, the county contended that the repair was only made necessary due to previous work Ag-Pro performed on the vehicle where a lock washer was not properly secured.

The invoice was rejected by the county commission last Tuesday, and County Administrator Buddy Johnson said he was prepared for the issue to be settled in court if necessary.

County shop director Chris Dix then uncovered a date-stamped picture from after the earlier repair which showed that the lock washer was not in place.

Upon seeing the picture, Ag-Pro offered to waive the invoice and fix the machine free of charge.

An Ag-Pro representative said the repairs likely will be made within the next several weeks.

Johnson said the issue is now resolved to the county’s satisfaction and that he was excited to patch-up the relationship between the two entities.

“They are doing the right thing, and we’re very appreciative of it,” the county administrator said.