Scotland County commissioners approve purchase of two sheriff transport vehicles using inmate trust funds

Scotland County commissioners voted to permit the sheriff's office to purchase two transport vehicles using funds in the county's inmate trust account, the board decided during its regular meeting.

The sheriff told commissioners that patrol and transport vehicles in the county have accumulated high mileage and that the office currently has vehicles out for repair or being held in surplus. "We're putting money in there. It's not coming from taxpayers," the sheriff said, referring to receipts in the inmate trust fund. He said the office could buy two vehicles now from the account and still have a balance remaining.

The sheriff described heavy use for transport vehicles, including moving inmates to hospitals and other counties for court appearances, and noted that some vehicles have more than 100,000 miles and one had 260,000 miles. He also described repair and outfitting delays and said earlier budget cycles and state contracting timelines can delay vehicle delivery.

Commissioners discussed whether the purchase required board approval and whether the inmate trust fund may be used for vehicles designated to support inmate transport. A commissioner moved to approve the purchase of two transport vehicles and the motion was seconded. The board voted in favor; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The sheriff estimated the purchase and outfitting for two Ford Explorer-based interceptors would total roughly $96,000 to $100,000, based on a state contract price reduced from about $51,580 per vehicle to roughly $42,000 plus about $6,000 per vehicle in outfitting costs. He said the vehicles under consideration include hybrids for better fuel economy and that vendors on state contract had vehicles available.

The sheriff also noted operational challenges: vehicles that had been totaled or were awaiting insurance, vehicles under repair, and long lead times because larger jurisdictions order early from state contract allocations. Commissioners asked procedural questions about timing and whether the sheriff needed formal approval; the matter concluded with the board approving the motion.

The vote was taken by voice; the board chair called for those in favor to say "aye." There was no recorded named roll call or written tally in the transcript.