Commission approves state-contract purchase of three county vehicles

County commissioners voted Aug. 20 to purchase three vehicles under state contract for county departments, approving staff'recommended makes and directing staff to confirm drivetrain specifications. Staff presented three state-contract options: a Dodge Ram for maintenance, a Jeep Grand Cherokee for a county staff position, and a Ford Escape for the zoning officer. During the discussion staff provided prices, including $30,003.56 for the Ford Escape and roughly $37,000 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and gave a figure for the Dodge Ram as presented at the meeting. Commissioners emphasized the need for four-wheel- or all-wheel-drive capability for vehicles that must travel county roads in variable conditions. The commission carried the motion to purchase the vehicles and directed staff to complete the acquisitions under the state contract terms. No additional financing or lease terms were disclosed at the meeting. Commissioners said vehicles were budgeted items and cited state contract procurement as the procurement method that simplified the purchase process.