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Sheriff tells council vehicle fleet is aging, asks to finance two replacements
Summary
Sheriff told the council the department is down two cars and has an aging fleet of about 30 vehicles; he asked to finance two replacement patrol vehicles now and expects to replace up to four this year.
Sheriff Miller told the Washington County Council the department’s fleet is aging and has recently lost two patrol vehicles, and he asked for the council’s approval to finance two replacement vehicles now.
The sheriff said the county normally keeps about 30 vehicles and replaces roughly three to four per year. He described a totaled 2014 Caprice and a wrecked 2022 Charger that together left the department short two vehicles. "We’re down 2 vehicles," he said on the record, and explained the county’s customary approach: lease vehicles with two payments per year over three years and take ownership at the end of the lease.
Miller explained that some used options and local dealerships can help, but vendors vary on upfit pricing (he noted about a $755 difference between one out-of-county flyer and a local price). He said some upfit components from the wrecked Charger may be reusable but the older vehicle’s equipment is outdated.
After the presentation the council moved and seconded a motion to provide minutes showing approval for the purchases and the motion passed on the record. No purchase contract or bid award was executed at the meeting; members asked staff to provide the formal purchase/lease paperwork and minutes showing the council’s authorization so the sheriff can finalize arrangements.
The council did not record detailed dollar figures for contracts at the meeting; the sheriff said funding options included leasing or buying from commissary funds and that he had funds or financing options lined up to move forward depending on council direction.
