Elbert County commissioners approve purchase of two additional sheriff patrol vehicles

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a lease-purchase for two additional patrol vehicles for the Elbert County Sheriff's Office on June 25, 2025.

Sheriff Norton told the board these vehicles are “emergency vehicles” used daily over difficult terrain and high idling hours, and that many existing cars exceed the county's replacement policy thresholds. "By the time we request a vehicle in the budget process ... sometimes that could take up to 18 months," Norton said, outlining a timeline that creates pressure to replace high-mileage units sooner.

The sheriff said the department had been allotted nine vehicles in 2024 and that two additional vehicles became available when another agency backed out of a contract. He said the department intends to retire the highest-mileage cars first and auction them once newer vehicles are outfitted. "What we're trying to do is eliminate the expensive repairs," Norton said, noting recent engine and transmission work on older units.

Commissioners asked about safety implications and timelines for outfitting. Norton said outfitting would be handled by a local vendor after delivery and estimated completion later in the year, but he did not give a firm delivery date. Finance director Tiffany Hermas explained that vehicle purchases for the sheriff are charged to the county's LEAF (license enforcement and fees) fund and that the department has used lease purchases for recent replacements; she said specific lease-versus-lease-purchase numbers would be provided later.

The motion to approve the two vehicles as a lease purchase passed by voice vote; the board recorded "All in favor, aye" and the chair stated the motion carried.

The sheriff's office will retire the highest-mileage vehicles and place them for auction, and the new vehicles will be routed to the county outfitter for installation of lights and radios. No dollar amount for the two specific vehicles was included in the public discussion.

The board moved the item from discussion to action earlier in the meeting before voting. The record shows exchanges about fleet policy thresholds (4 years or 120,000 miles) and the county's inventory: the sheriff reported 12 vehicles already over the policy limit and projected that several more would reach that level by year-end if replacements were delayed.

Looking ahead, staff said they will follow up with detailed lease and outfitting timelines and with auction plans for retired vehicles.