County commission approves car purchase for sheriff
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission approved, 2-1, an expenditure Friday for a used car for the sheriff's department.
Commissioner Howard Collett voted against the expenditure stating "the impact of the expense to the general fund this early in the year is unacceptable."
The car is a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria at a purchase price of $11,000 from the Kansas Highway Patrol Fleet Sales. It has less than 50,000 miles.
Sheriff Lee Becker had reported to the commission Jan. 26 the 1998 Ford Ranger pickup truck with 137,000 miles needed a new transmission. A rebuilt transmission would cost $2,500.
"Don't bother looking in my budget for the money (to repair the truck or purchase another vehicle) because it's not there," said Becker.
Becker presented several options to the commission, in addition to the repair of the truck. One of the options was the purchase of a used highway patrol car or pickup truck.
Prior to the approval of the purchase, commission members discussed their quandary.
Collett suggested Becker take bids to repair the truck.
Leroy Wetta, commission chairman, said that he did not like the situation.
"I dislike the situation we're in ($2,500 repair costs) for that age of truck," said Wetta. "It's going to nickel and dime us."
Wetta commented that the general fund has got to carry the county through 2004 and he hated to deplete it "right off the bat."
Commissioner Bob Hein agreed.
"We could fix it (the truck) and then still have something else wrong with it," said Hein. "We might get a little cheaper price by bidding (it out) but it wouldn't be significant."
Becker suggested the consideration of a lease-purchase arrangement saying it would protect the general fund for now.
Wetta asked Becker if the two jailers both had cars. Becker answered they did.
"How often do they act as deputies?" Wetta asked.
"When a deputy is off or for transporting prisoners or for special investigations," answered Becker.
"Do we really need that vehicle? Couldn't the jailers share a vehicle?" asked Wetta.
Becker related to the commission that having an "extra" vehicle was helpful when another vehicle is being serviced or repaired.
"Having to share a vehicle may affect our response time," said Becker.
With that comment, Wetta made the motion and Hein seconded to purchase the car for the department.
Becker said at the Jan. 26 meeting that he would divide his department's budget for 2004 by 12 months for his allowable monthly expenditures. Becker commented at Friday's meeting that the 2004 budget of $400,000 divided by 12 months is $33,333 per month which is available for budget expenditures.
