County attorney says recent truck purchase permissible; residents and auditor call for review

The Walker County Board of Commissioners heard a multi-part briefing and extended public comment about a recent procurement of two heavy trucks and whether the county followed its purchasing rules.

County Attorney Ken Gerard reviewed the facts of the purchase and told the board it has discretion as the county’s governing authority to choose equipment it deems in the public interest. Gerard said the county purchased two Mack class-8 trucks that were on a dealer lot and could be delivered immediately. “First of all, the governing authority of Walker County is you,” Gerard told the board, and he later said the commissioners “are a fiduciary. You are a steward of the public purse.” He said Georgia’s competitive sealed-bid statutes govern specific capital projects (not routine equipment), described the county’s own purchasing-policy thresholds, and concluded he was “comfortable with that acquisition.”

Why it matters: the purchase has prompted public criticism and requests for further review. Speakers at the meeting asked for more documentation about vendor contacts, contract specifications, and whether rules for sealed bids were followed. Resident Ned Yates said the purchase “violated the enabling act of Walker County” as he reads it and asked, “Why is there no record of the conversation?” Melissa Halsey, a county auditor who spoke during public comment, urged a deeper accounting review: “Can we afford not to have one?” she asked, calling for a forensic audit in light of repeated audit findings about internal controls.

Supporting details: Gerard told the commission the two Mack trucks were listed in procurement materials as a higher-spec vehicle with greater load capacity and longer longevity than the other trucks that were considered. He noted that some competing vehicles would have to be ordered and delivered later, while the Mack trucks were on the lot and available immediately — a factor the board weighed in deciding what was in the county’s best interest. Public commenters said the total paid was roughly $472,000 for the two trucks; Gerard cited per-truck figures in the procurement materials shown to him.

Board response and context: several commissioners defended the decision at the meeting, saying county road operations lacked available vehicles and the immediate availability of lot-ready machines mattered for public services. Commissioner Blakemore said he “felt it was the best truck to fit Walker County’s need.” Gerard recommended clarifying language in the county purchasing policy about what constitutes a “formal sealed bid,” because Georgia law prescribes sealed-bid processes for certain capital works (not for every high-dollar equipment purchase).

What’s next: The meeting produced no formal action on the trucks themselves; Gerard stayed for public comment and said he would take notes for any follow-up. Multiple speakers asked the board to consider a forensic audit or additional internal-review steps; the board did not vote on that request during the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners and staff said they will continue to review procurement language and documentation. Gerard said he would advise the board if it wants further legal or procedural changes to its purchasing policy.