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Commissioners weigh purchase vs. lease for sheriff/EMS vehicles; 2025 vehicle quote discussed
Summary
Commissioners discussed an $80,579.50 quote for a marked pursuit vehicle and broader fleet strategy including leasing, trade‑ins and problematic Ford engines; no final purchase motion was completed and the item was deferred pending lease quotes and 2026 pricing.
Commissioners discussed March 2 whether to proceed with purchasing a quoted marked pursuit vehicle for $80,579.50 or to pursue leasing options that might spread costs over time.
Alex, representing sheriff/EMS staff, told the board a 2025 marked vehicle quote (including lightbar and upfit) totaled $80,579.50 and that the line-item had been budgeted for $80,000. Commissioners discussed prior experiences with a Ford medic unit that had recurring engine and front-end problems (the engine had been replaced under warranty after manufacturer defects were reported). Staff said one problematic truck would likely be sent to auction and that the county could seek trade-in value or dealer trade offers to offset cost.
Commissioners also raised the option of a leasing program that spreads costs across years and provides more frequent fleet rotation; staff said earlier lease proposals sometimes resemble financing and that the county should review specific lease terms (including mileage, insurance and residuals). A commissioner asked staff to request a lease quote and the price for a 2026 model before completing a final decision.
An attempt to approve the 2025 vehicle purchase began but was not finalized during the meeting; commissioners agreed to defer the matter to the next meeting after collecting lease quotes and updated pricing information.
The board directed staff to obtain (1) lease-vs-purchase cost comparisons, (2) trade-in estimates for the current Tahoe/older units and (3) 2026 model pricing and lead times, and to return with that information at a future meeting.
