County approves using Justice Fund reserves to buy two sheriff vehicles; generator budget noted

Bannock County commissioners voted to allow the sheriff's office to use identified Justice Fund reserves and other budgeted funds to pay for two vehicle purchases for the sheriff's department.

The discussion during the meeting centered on two vehicle purchases that together would cost about $66,000 after rounding, and a previously ordered generator with an equipment price of $108,003.62 and installation estimated at about $51,000 — a combined total the presenter rounded to roughly $170,000 for planning purposes. County staff said the generator had been budgeted at $300,000 in the Justice Fund, leaving roughly $130,000 unobligated against that line after the rounded estimate; the proposal was to apply about $66,000 of those unobligated Justice Fund dollars to the two sheriff vehicles so the county would not need to open an additional budget amendment and hold a public hearing.

Commissioners discussed funding sources; staff confirmed the generator was budgeted in the Justice Fund, not the county general fund. Commissioners and staff noted the generator delivery might be delayed until October, which could push some costs into the next fiscal year. Commissioners made and seconded a motion to approve using the identified funds for the two vehicle purchases. The motion carried with the board voting in favor.

The county also approved an earlier motion at the meeting that covered an exceptional placement in public works and other procedural items separate from the sheriff request.

The sheriff's office representative provided the cost figures during the public agenda item and accounting staff and procurement staff addressed whether progress billing or contingencies could affect the final amounts. Commissioners said they were satisfied to proceed but asked staff to monitor invoices and report back if the generator or related contingency costs changed the overall funding picture.