Brown County commissioners approved the purchase of a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe to replace a Dodge Charger patrol unit currently in the Sheriff’s Office fleet after it was damaged. According to Sheriff Bobby Grubbs, he would like to convert the department’s entire fleet of patrol to Tahoes because of the high costs of maintaining the Chargers.
Grubbs explained that the Charger being replaced was about due for replacement because of its high mileage, but was driven into a low water crossing and the engine “sucked water up into the engine.” To replace this engine would cost $11,000 and it made more sense to replace the vehicle, Grubbs said. The Charger was “a couple of years old” and had approximately 140,000 miles, according to BCSO Chief Deputy Bobby Duvall and Grubbs.
Duvall stated that the new Tahoe replacing the damaged Charger will cost the county approximately $19,968 after the insurance proceeds of $15,668. Purchase funds will come from the county’s general nondepartmental equipment fund according to County Auditor Nina Cox. The 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe will be bought under a governmental contract price from Caldwell Country Chevrolet in Caldwell, Texas.
Grubbs stated that many of the fleet’s chargers have had to have extensive repairs and some have even required engine replacement. Many of the fleet’s Chargers which have 80,000 to 90,000 miles are requiring extensive repairs and are costly to maintain, according to Grubbs. Chief Deputy Duvall agreed that the Chargers are too expensive to keep.
“We’ve had nothing but trouble with the Chargers,” said Grubbs. “We’ve replaced four engines already.”
Grubbs went on to explain that with technological advances, much of the equipment is now in the front passenger seat of the chargers and the rear passenger area is very small. By using the Tahoes as patrol units, he explained that there is more space available for equipment and for larger arrestees, giving the deputy a better work space and the possibility of having a seat for a partner when needed.
“We’re getting away from the sedans and getting to the point that we are putting so much equipment into those vehicles that we are running out of room, with no room for anyone in the passenger seat,” said Grubbs.
When asked by County Judge Ray West if he foresees in the future the BCSO fleet having all Tahoes, Grubbs stated, “We would like to. Every one of these cars, when they get to 80-90 thousand miles, they are very costly to maintain.”
The purchase price of the Tahoes according to Grubbs is approximately $4,000 more, for what the department hopes is a more durable product. Tahoes unequipped run approximately $27,000 and chargers have been about $23,000 unequipped according to Duvall.
The Tahoes currently in the BCSO fleet have not had time to be tested in high mileage. The Tahoe’s cost of operations should be known in about a year or so when those currently in the BCSO fleet have more mileage, according to Grubbs. Grubbs stated that the Texas Department of Public Safety has also converted much of their fleet to the Tahoes and that he had not heard anything negative about their use from DPS Troopers.
Sheriff Grubbs had intended to ask for funds to purchase four new Tahoes for the fleet in the upcoming fiscal year; however with this new vehicle, that request will be reduced to three.
In other matters on Monday’s agenda:
*No action was taken as a burn ban was discussed by commissioners.
*BCSO received approval of a replacement jailer. Devon Denton has been hired to replace Michael Heath according to Chief Deputy Duvall.
*County Court at Law Judge Frank Griffin received approval for a replacement employee after court administrator Brenda Arp left the position to pursue a job with a home health agency. Griffin stated that Rhonda Earp will fill the vacancy through to the end of Griffin’s term and brings knowledge of the position and will not need training. Earp will serve for 6 months under Griffin as a full time employee with benefits, effective July 2, 2014.
*Commissioners granted approval for the revision of fraud policy and appeals procedure for the county’s indigent health care.
*Commissioner Pct. 2 Joel Kelton received approval for parking lot repairs at the Brown County Courthouse. According to Kelton the lot to be repaired is the covered parking for employees at the corner north of the courthouse. County employees will be given notice by Judge Ray West when the repairs are to be made so that they will be able to find alternate parking during that time.
*Commissioners approved the official bond and oath for District Clerk Cheryl Jones.
*Commissioners also approved District Judge Steve Ellis’s appointment and confirmation of Cheryl Jones to fill Jan Brown’s unexpired term as District Clerk.
*Commissioners approved Judge Ellis’ appointments of deputy clerks to serve under District Clerk Cheryl Jones. There will be no changes to staff within the District Clerk’s office according to Jones.
*County Clerk Sharon Ferguson received approval of Court Payment Card Processing Participation Agreement for e-filing.
*County Tax Assessor Collector Christine Pentecost received approval for replacement employee Autumn Watson who fills a vacancy left by Crystal Smith.
*Commissioner Pct. 3 Wayne Shaw received approval of an application to install a private line on County Road 348. Shaw stated that this is a private water line to be installed by Zephyr Water off of Jenkins Springs Road to Hwy 377, which will be done to county specifications.
