Gregg County approves purchase of 10 sheriff vehicles and new drone

The Gregg County Commissioners Court on July 14 approved purchases and funding transfers to replace law-enforcement vehicles, outfit the new cars, and buy a replacement drone for the sheriffs office.

The sheriff (speaker identified in the agenda and speaking during the item) told the court the county did not budget for vehicles this year as it absorbed other personnel-related needs but now seeks to replace aging vehicles. The court approved transferring $474,000 from sheriff jail operations, salaries and benefits, and group health to purchase 10 vehicles (eight Ford Explorer interceptor utilities and two Chevrolet Tahoes) and authorized purchase via an established procurement contract.

The court also approved transferring $160,000 to cover equipment and rigging (lights, push bumpers and mounting). The sheriff estimated rigging costs between $14,000 and $15,000 per vehicle and said additional equipment such as camera systems and radios could add several thousand dollars per vehicle. The sheriff said the old drone will likely be retained as a backup but that the county needs a new unmanned aircraft system to meet operational requirements; backup documentation lists roughly $12,000 but the court moved $15,000 to ensure coverage.

All motions were approved by the court by voice vote. Commissioners asked about grants; the sheriff said no applicable grant was available for the drone purchase and described a previous experience where a drone purchase had been disqualified due to parts origin requirements under a grant.

The court recorded approval of the funding transfers and procurement actions and instructed the sheriff's office to proceed with purchase and installation under county procurement rules.