The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 to approve the sheriff’s purchase of a new Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle, a decision the sheriff said was intended to improve officer safety and rescue capability for high‑risk incidents.

The sheriff told the board the Bearcat is the industry standard for civilian law enforcement tactical missions, arguing that older military surplus vehicles in the county had operational limitations and that an 18‑month lead time made locking in current pricing advantageous. He said the purchase would be paid from department-held funds and “has 0 impact to the general fund,” adding his office currently contributes about $400,000 annually back to the county from those resources.

Several supervisors questioned the timing and expense. One supervisor said the county faces competing public‑safety and infrastructure needs, noting roads in poor condition and urging the sheriff to consider used alternatives or shared equipment with neighboring counties. Another supervisor asked whether buying the vehicle now could affect upcoming labor negotiations and budget flexibility.

The sheriff responded that used Bearcats are rarely available, that federal and other agencies often acquire refurbished units, and that the vendor would guarantee the price with no payment due until delivery. He also recounted a prior incident in which deputies were outgunned and said the department must be self‑sufficient at the time of a critical event.

The motion to approve the purchase passed with four votes in favor and one opposed. The board did not record a roll‑call tally of individual yes votes in the minutes beyond the one nay on the record.

The board did not specify an exact delivery date in its public discussion; the sheriff said the vehicle could take about 18 months to arrive under current lead times. The sheriff also said the county would retain one MATV tactical vehicle and would return the MRAP provided under a federal program.

Next steps: The purchase authorization was approved and the sheriff’s office will proceed with the vendor agreement. The board did not attach additional conditions or require a follow‑up fiscal report on the transaction.