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Harahan council approves auction of surplus vehicles and equipment amid debate over insurance and use of proceeds
Summary
Council approved an amended ordinance to sell/auction municipal property (including a 2008 Ford F350, lots of file cabinets and computers) under La. R.S. 33:47.12; members debated whether proceeds should be dedicated to vehicle replacement, capital projects, or department capital funds and expressed concern about insurance costs for idle vehicles.
The Harahan City Council voted May 21 to approve Ordinance 2026-5 to sell or auction municipal property under Louisiana Revised Statute 33:47.12, amending the item list to include three recently added lots: a 2008 Ford F350, a lot of file cabinets and a lot of computers and laptops.
Councilman Asbill moved the amendment to add the three items; Councilman Buddy seconded and the council approved the amendment and the ordinance. Asbill thanked Lieutenant Jovanovich (police) for compiling the auction list and indicated some added items lacked serial numbers or full descriptions; he and others said the city could pull unclear items pending better descriptions if council preferred.
Discussion centered on how proceeds would be used. Some members said auction funds return to the originating department's capital fund and that an existing ordinance allocates proceeds back to those departments; others urged that proceeds should be used to replace vehicles or reduce fleet insurance exposure. Council members discussed that keeping many inactive vehicles increases insurance and maintenance costs and suggested expediting disposal to reduce a recurring insurance burden.
On IT equipment, council confirmed the city's IT staff has scrubbed devices prior to auction. Council members agreed a lot-based auction approach for computers is appropriate and serial numbers need not be a gating requirement.
Why it matters: The action reduces the city's fleet and surplus inventory and may lower ongoing insurance and storage costs; council debate flagged competing priorities for how proceeds should be applied and the need to track insurance exposure more precisely.
Next steps: city staff to publish the auction list (with items described as available), confirm IT scrubbing of data-bearing devices, and pursue vehicle disposal per the approved ordinance; council may future consider amending the ordinance if it wants proceeds redirected to specific replacement vehicles.
