The Broadband County Board of Commissioners approved a bid waiver Aug. 7 and authorized the purchase of a wheelchair-accessible van for long-term care services at a cost of $85,470.

Long-term care staff told commissioners the vehicle’s all-wheel-drive system and rear lift make it better suited to transport residents in wheelchairs during winter weather and in tight parking situations than alternatives the county had considered. Staff said limited inventory and the need for a vehicle in stock contributed to choosing a single vendor through a bid waiver process.

Why it matters: the county currently transports residents in wheelchairs using a larger passenger bus, which staff said uses more fuel and is not ideal for some appointments. Commissioners and staff discussed vehicle service life, the condition of an existing vehicle (referred to as “Car 9”), and options for selling or auctioning obsolete vehicles.

Financial details: staff said $46,000 had already been encumbered and that the remainder would be financed as a capital lease over three years, with the first installment recorded in the current budget and the remainder in future cycles. The board approved the motion by majority vote.

Discussion and procurement: staff described outreach to vendors and a search for in-stock models; several commissioners asked whether the price was in line with typical rates for similarly equipped vans. Staff said the chosen model was slightly more expensive than other wheelchair vans but included all-wheel drive and available inventory, which they judged necessary for safety and scheduling reliability.

Ending: Staff will finalize purchase, arrange the capital lease payments, and address disposition of older county vehicles.