Commissioners direct review of vehicle branding and require board review for county vehicle purchases

Commissioner Barnett pressed the board to standardize county vehicle markings and remove an older triangular logo he said “shouldn't be used.” He asked staff to inventory county vehicles and estimate the cost to apply the current county emblem and tax-exempt (E) plates where appropriate.

County staff said many decals are simple stickers that public works can apply in-house and that departments have budget authority to buy decals but may not have used it. A departmental representative noted forestry staff sometimes keep vehicles unmarked because they are parked in remote areas and have been vandalized; that official said forestry vehicles typically have only identification numbers and E plates, not full door badging.

Commissioner Barnett asked staff to investigate how many vehicles carry the old logo or no logo at all and to return with cost estimates; staff agreed to report back. The request was informational and no formal price change was approved at the meeting.

On a related item about fleet procurement oversight the board adopted a motion, 3-0, to require county vehicle purchases to be brought before the board for approval. Commissioners said the intent is oversight rather than an automatic purchase ban: members raised concerns about fraud, waste and abuse and noted some county vehicles show low mileage and could be kept in service longer. Commissioners said departments that require specialized ordered equipment should give advance notice to the board so the board can consider those purchases in context.

Commissioners also discussed an exemption request from forestry to keep certain vehicles unbranded for safety reasons; the board asked departments to present exemption requests with justification if needed. Staff will prepare a list of planned vehicle purchases and an inventory of current vehicle branding for future board review.