Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Probation Vehicles topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County moves to buy probation vehicle with DCJS grant to reduce leased vehicles and mileage costs
Summary
The Audit & Control Committee approved moving DCJS grant funds into equipment to buy a probation vehicle. County probation officials said the vehicle will replace leased vehicles and reduce staff mileage reimbursements; the vehicle includes third-row seating for training travel.
The Chautauqua County Audit & Control Committee approved a resolution to amend the 2025 budget to accept and allocate Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) grant funds for equipment purchases for the probation department.
Sam Zafuto, deputy director of finance, and Gilbert Taylor, director of probation, told the committee the grant funds will be used to purchase one vehicle that will allow the department to retire leased vehicles and sharply cut mileage reimbursements. Taylor said the department currently has five department vehicles plus at least one leased vehicle; the new grant-funded vehicle has a third-row seat to carry trainees and trainers to sessions in Albany and for other multi-staff trips.
Taylor said using grant funds to buy vehicles will reduce what the department pays in mileage in future budgets; he described this award as “very lucky” because the grant’s terms allow broader use than some grants, which can be narrowly earmarked. The department intends to maintain a small mileage budget for rare reimbursements but expects much lower mileage costs going forward.
Committee members discussed maintenance planning for purchased vehicles. Taylor said the department budgets and tracks routine maintenance (oil changes, tires) and plans replacements; department mileage previously reached as high as about 45,000 miles per year but is now far lower. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote; the transcript records an affirmative voice vote and the motion carried.
No vendor for the vehicle purchase was named at the meeting and no specific vehicle model or purchase price was provided on the record.
