BOC approves patrol car purchases

And county commissioners say the county government is in good enough financial shape to buy five new patrol cars for the sheriff’s department, while also wiping out the county’s debts on previous vehicle leases.

The final figures aren’t in, but Madison County commissioners expect to end 2010 in the black. And they plan to use some money budgeted for last year on the patrol cars and on retiring old debts.

The board gave Sheriff Kip Thomas the go-ahead Jan. 3 on the purchase of five Charger patrol cars. Thomas provided the BOC with gas mileage and costs on three potential vehicles: the Crown Victoria, with 16 miles per gallon and a $22,000 chassis; the Dodge Charger, with 20 miles per gallon and a $19,900 chassis; and a Chevy Impala, with 22 miles per gallon and a $19,900 chassis.

Thomas said he ruled out the new Impala model as a viable patrol car after Bibb County tested the vehicles.

“After 75,000 miles it was done,” said Thomas, noting that the vehicles had suspension problems.

The sheriff said he favored the Chargers.

“The V-6 Charger is going to be our best bet as far as the money,” he said.

Four of the Chargers will cost approximately $26,000 apiece. This includes the installation of lights and other equipment. The fifth vehicle won’t cost as much, since it will be used by investigators and won’t require as much modification.

Commissioner John Pethel provided the lone vote against the purchase of the Chargers.

“I was elected to represent the people of District 2 and all the calls and contacts I’ve had on this have said, ‘Don’t buy the Chargers,’” said Pethel. “I represent District 2 and I vote ‘No.’”

Commissioner Mike Youngblood responded that some may have objected to the Chargers with big engines, but that the county is purchasing the six-cylinder Charger.

Youngblood raised the patrol car issue recently, telling the board that he recently drove up on a county patrol car that was holding up traffic with engine trouble. He said the citizens of the county deserve patrol cars that are functional and that a number of cars in service have 200,000 to 250,000 miles on their odometers.

“It’s something I feel needs to be done,” Youngblood reiterated Jan. 3.

The sheriff’s department has a fleet of 38 cars. And commissioners say that the old, high-mileage patrol cars must regularly be replaced by newer vehicles.

The commissioners agreed to tag $10,000 in insurance payments the county received for previously wrecked patrol cars toward the purchase.

The old 2008 lease debts that the commissioners agreed to pay off were for patrol cars, ambulances and transfer station equipment. Seven patrol cars were leased in 2008 and three in 2010. Total leasing debts were $237,388. And payments on those debts were scheduled in the 2011 budget. But leftover 2010 money, along with some reserve funds, will be used to cover the total cost of the debt retirement and the cars — approximately $350,000.

Commissioners anticipate a surplus, but they are still waiting on final reports from county departments on 2010 budget figures.

Dove said the county had roughly $5 million in reserves in November. He said he doesn’t have more recent numbers on the reserve balance.