Fiscal court approves purchase of van and 22‑seat bus for Oldham County Detention Center

Oldham County Fiscal Court approved a request March 4 to allow the Oldham County Detention Center to purchase two vehicles for inmate transportation: a fully equipped van and a fully equipped bus.

Jailer Jeff Tindall told the court the transportation workload has increased and the existing fleet of four vans is aging. He asked the court to approve purchase of a van and a bus to reduce the number of officers required for long‑distance federal and other transports and to improve safety.

Key points from the presentation and questions - Estimated cost: Tindall estimated a combined cost of approximately $238,000. He described the bus estimate at about $171,000 fully equipped and the van estimate at about $67,000 fully equipped (lights, sirens, radio and security cage). - Capacity and purpose: Tindall said the bus is intended for longer trips and holds 22 inmates plus two deputies (24 total seats). The van is intended for longer‑distance transfers that currently require multiple vehicles. - Fleet status and disposal: Tindall said he would not surplus vehicles immediately; one van had about 70,000 miles and would remain in limited use. - Visibility and markings: Vehicles will be unmarked and white.

Committee review and vote Magistrates said the purchases had been recommended by the county’s Public Safety/Detention Center Committee, which approved both purchases 3–0. A motion on the floor at the fiscal court passed by voice vote (no roll‑call recorded) and Judge Executive David Vogel announced, “Motion carries.”

Ending The detention center will proceed to procure the van and bus; staff and the magistrates indicated the purchases respond to federal‑transport demands and current fleet mileage. The court did not direct immediate surplus of older vehicles; follow‑up asset management and budget reconciliation will take place in department records and procurement files.