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Commissioners discuss options for selling surplus vehicles; no formal vote
Summary
County commissioners compared Enterprise Fleet Management and Purple Wave for surplus-vehicle sales, but took no formal action; staff reported mixed results and said sales platform choice may depend on vehicle type and transport costs.
At its Jan. 14, 2025 meeting the Wichita County Commissioners Court discussed how to sell surplus county vehicles, weighing proposals from Enterprise Fleet Management and online auction platform Purple Wave. Commissioners did not take formal action; staff said the choice should be made when vehicles are declared surplus.
Staff reported that four vehicles recently sold netted about $400 more on Purple Wave than on Enterprise when gross bids were compared, but the platforms assess different fees and services. Enterprise charges roughly $3.95 per unit and includes pickup/transport for drivable vehicles; Purple Wave’s line-item commission appears as $100 per unit for private contractors and does not automatically include transport, though staff said government entities may be exempt from that fee in some cases. County staff confirmed the Purple Wave invoice breakdown shown to the court listed no commission for government transactions.
Commissioners and staff said the decision may vary by vehicle type. One commissioner suggested Tahoes and similar vehicles may attract fewer buyers on Purple Wave than pickups or construction “yellow iron,” which may perform better on Purple Wave. The court heard suggestions to compare bids on a case-by-case basis and noted that Enterprise is willing to provide comparative bids if the county prefers to solicit offers before each sale.
Staff offered in-house support to improve resale value, saying road-and-bridge maintenance crews could repair or reassemble interior panels to increase auction returns. No motion or vote was recorded on a blanket vendor selection; the discussion closed with guidance that staff may seek comparative bids as surplus vehicles are declared.
Clarifying details
- Recent test batch: four vehicles compared between Enterprise and Purple Wave; Purple Wave produced approximately $400 more in gross receipts for that batch, according to staff.
- Fees and services: Enterprise commission reported at approximately $3.95 per unit and includes transport of drivable vehicles; Purple Wave lists $100 per unit for private contractors and does not include transport, with potential government exemptions depending on the invoice and contract.
Ending
The court provided guidance rather than a directive: staff may compare platforms for individual vehicles and return with recommendations when the county declares assets surplus.
