Jackson County OKs interdepartmental vehicle transfers; budget amendments to follow
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Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved interdepartmental vehicle transfers after the auditor’s vehicle was totaled; staff said a budget amendment will be filed to cover purchases and equipment needs.
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 5 approved interdepartmental vehicle transfers and signaled it will seek budget amendments to cover vehicle purchases and equipment needs.
The board voted to authorize swapping vehicles among county departments and to prepare a budget amendment so offices can complete purchases once the amendment is approved. Don Swankert, chair of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, presided over the vote. “Got a motion by Mike second by Nin to approve the interdepartmental vehicle transfers,” Swankert said as the motion passed with ayes.
Why it matters: County staff said the move followed a June crash that totaled an auditor’s vehicle and prompted discussion about securing equipment on departmental vehicles and reducing mileage reimbursements by providing centrally available county vehicles.
What was discussed and decided: Elizabeth Townsend, Jackson County health administrator, told the board her car was declared a total loss by insurance and that the county will receive roughly $10,600 after a $1,000 deductible. “They allowed us $11,600, so we will be receiving a check for $10,600 for the vehicle,” Townsend said. She proposed retaining the county’s red 2020 Chevrolet Trailblazer in the auditor’s office and buying a 2024 GMC Sierra currently assigned to Secondary Roads because it had low mileage and built-in secure storage.
County Engineer Jayden (county engineer’s office) provided price context for the Sierra, pointing to Kelley Blue Book values around $30,000–$33,000 and noting the truck’s 24,000 miles. Townsend said purchasing that vehicle and foregoing a more expensive boring-machine attachment would keep overall costs close to insurance proceeds plus county funds. “With what I'm getting back from the insurance, and then what we'd be saving on that boring machine, we keep pretty close to this number,” she said.
Supervisors discussed funding and process. Board members agreed a budget amendment would be required before funds are spent. The board set a public hearing date (Sept. 2 at 9 a.m.) earlier in the meeting for FY2026 budget amendments and acknowledged the vehicle purchases would be included in that amendment. Mike Stennis moved the motion to approve the transfers; Nen Fano seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps and implementation: County staff will prepare the formal budget amendment and related interdepartmental transfer paperwork and return to the board for final approval. The board emphasized that no funds would be spent until the amendment is enacted.
Ending: Supervisors said they expect further detail on exact vehicle prices and financing in the forthcoming budget amendment packet.
