Story County sheriff's OHV unit asks for pickup to tow trailer and expand on‑trail VIN inspections and outreach

The Story County Sheriff's Office presented the commission with a request for a heavy‑duty pickup to support its OHV enforcement and outreach team.

Sergeant Brooke Beaumont said the office established an OHV outreach and operations team in 2023 to perform VIN inspections, on‑trail education, event presence and response to breakdowns or crashes in the Virginia City area. Beaumont told commissioners the unit has one side‑by‑side, two dirt bikes and two covered trailers for storage and transport but lacks a vehicle with sufficient towing capacity to safely transport its largest covered trailer and side‑by‑side to events outside the county.

The sheriff's office requested a 2500‑class heavy‑duty pickup (the application cited a 2,500 series) that would be marked with SOHO team graphics rather than full patrol markings and would carry a radio only, not lights or sirens. The office said policy forbids using a non‑patrol vehicle for arrests or pursuits and that the vehicle would not be used as a patrol car.

Commissioners asked whether a 3,500‑series truck would be more appropriate for longevity and towing margins; one commissioner suggested a 3,500 might avoid the need for another vehicle later. Sheriff staff said they would supply weight and trailer specifications to clarify the capacity requirement. Beaumont and commissioners emphasized the unit's public‑safety and outreach role, including on‑the‑spot VIN inspections that help riders register equipment and reduce enforcement workload later.

No funding decision was made; commissioners asked staff to verify vehicle specs and long‑term program needs as part of grant review.