CSDA is pleased to announce the addition of GovDeals as a Business Affiliate with the National Special Districts Association (NSDA). When government agencies face the dilemma of how to navigate the waters of surplus disposition, GovDeals is a lifeline to help manage the sale of their surplus inventory. GovDeals prevents this process from becoming a drag on government time and resources. This endorsement means even more special districts across the country will have preferred member benefits.
As a CSDA Endorsed Affiliate, Govdeals has provided cost saving efficiency in buying and selling surplus inventory to CSDA members for years. CSDA’s Surplus Marketplace transforms surplus assets and inventory from a burden to an opportunity – powered by GovDeals!
Specifically created for, and dedicated to, government agencies and their surplus disposition, GovDeals works with over 15,000 sellers utilizing the online auction platform. Nationally, they have completed over $4 billion in sales achieved by selling directly to more than 1 million registered buyers. Their online auction platform regularly generates higher net returns by delivering true market values.
From Annual to Monthly: How One Water District Transformed Surplus Asset Management
Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District generates $1.7 million through strategic modernization
The Challenge
Like many special districts, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District in Colorado faced a common surplus asset management challenge. For years, they relied on their county's annual auction to dispose of retired vehicles, outdated equipment, and replaced infrastructure components. While this approach worked, it came with significant limitations.
Assets sat in storage for months, potentially depreciating value while consuming valuable storage space. The annual schedule meant no flexibility. If equipment became surplus in February, it waited until the county's auction date, sometimes nearly a year later. The local buyer pool was limited to whoever happened to attend the county event, often resulting in lower-than-optimal sale prices.
Dan Lee, Facilities Operations Coordinator at the district, knew there had to be a better way to manage their surplus assets while maintaining the transparency and accountability required of public agencies.
A Strategic Partnership
In 2016, the district made a strategic decision that would transform their surplus asset management: they partnered with GovDeals, a platform specializing in government surplus auctions. The decision wasn't made lightly. The district prioritized two critical factors in their evaluation: reliability and transparency.
GovDeals offered exactly what they needed: a platform designed specifically for government agencies, with built-in compliance features and a nationwide network of buyers who specifically sought government surplus equipment.
The Transformation
The results have been remarkable. Since 2016, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District has generated $1.7 million in surplus asset sales through their partnership with GovDeals. More importantly, they've completely transformed their operational approach.
Instead of waiting for annual county auctions, the district now conducts monthly sales, giving them the flexibility to dispose of assets when operationally convenient. Items that might have sat in storage for months are now sold quickly, preventing depreciation and freeing up valuable storage space.
The range of items sold demonstrates the platform's versatility. The district has successfully auctioned everything from a 2021 Bobcat Skid Steer that sold for $51,000 to smaller miscellaneous items worth just a few dollars. This flexibility allows them to efficiently manage all surplus assets, regardless of value.
Beyond Revenue: Operational Excellence
While the $1.7 million in sales is impressive, the transformation goes beyond just revenue generation. The district has achieved several operational improvements:
- Enhanced Efficiency: Staff time previously spent coordinating with county auction schedules is now redirected to core district operations. The streamlined process reduces administrative burden while improving results.
- Improved Cash Flow: Monthly auctions mean more predictable and frequent revenue streams, helping with budget planning and capital project funding.
- Better Asset Management: The ability to auction items as they become surplus prevents the accumulation of assets in storage facilities, reducing storage costs and improving facility organization.
- Increased Transparency: The digital platform provides comprehensive documentation and audit trails that support the district's commitment to public accountability.
The Broader Impact
The success of Northern Colorado's surplus asset transformation demonstrates that operational excellence often comes from thoughtful process improvements rather than major investments. By choosing the right partner and platform, the district created a sustainable solution that continues to generate value for their community.
"GovDeals provides us with a quick & efficient way to sell our surplus!" notes Dan Lee, reflecting on the partnership's success.
The revenue generated directly benefits the community through reduced operational costs, enhanced fiscal sustainability, and the demonstration of responsible stewardship of public resources.
Lessons for Other Districts
The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District's experience offers valuable insights for other special districts considering similar improvements:
- Focus on Specialization: Choosing a platform designed specifically for government agencies eliminated many compliance and transparency concerns.
- Gradual Implementation: Starting with select assets allowed the district to validate the approach before full implementation.
- Staff Training: Ensuring team members understood the new processes was crucial for smooth adoption.
- Performance Monitoring: Tracking results and comparing them to previous methods validated the transformation's success.
A Model for Success
The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District's transformation from annual county auctions to monthly digital sales represents more than just a technology upgrade. It's a case study in operational excellence. Their success demonstrates that special districts can achieve significant improvements in efficiency and revenue generation through strategic partnerships and thoughtful process modernization.
For districts considering similar transformations, the Northern Colorado model provides a proven roadmap: identify the right specialized partner, implement gradually, train staff thoroughly, and monitor results carefully.
The $1.7 million in surplus sales since 2016 speaks to the financial impact, but the operational improvements such as enhanced efficiency, improved cash flow, and reduced administrative burden may be even more valuable in the long term.
Visit the CSDA Surplus Marketplace for purchase opportunities. If you have surplus assets to sell, please contact Samarra Dalrymple at sdalrymple@govdeals.com.
#FeatureNews