Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of four new vehicles to replace vehicles with high mileage and extensive repair needs within the Brown County Sheriff’s Office fleet. Captain Tony Aaron of BCSO presented the plans for the purchase in the form of bids given by Dallas Dodge and Bruner Auto Group.
3 Dodge Chargers at the price of $67,950 were sought through the bids. Local dealers could not match the state contracted rate established through Dallas Dodge Aaron said. Other dealers also did not have the police package Chargers in stock and available for a timely delivery.
Aaron said that Bruner Auto Group had a 12 passenger van on their lot which he sought a bid for. Bruner gave the bid at a price of $27,690 to BSCO. Although the price is slightly over the $27,000 budgeted amount, Aaron said that the vehicle is a better overall van and is currently in stock. At Dallas Dodge, there would be a wait on delivery of the van.
Other costs to fully equip the vehicles including the following:
$5200 – Instrument and Radio Installation by B&S Services
$2000 – Decals from Willie’s Ts
$10,114.79 – Lights, Sirens, Console and Cages
Aaron explained that this purchase stays well below the budgeted amount. He also spoke of another cost saving measure the BCSO has implemented by keeping old Ford Crown Victorias for parts. With the new purchase of the Chargers, all but one of the Crown Victorias will be phased out of the BCSO’s fleet. Every 3-4 years, the fleet is rotated with purchases of a few cars/year.
Chargers were first introduced into the BCSO fleet in 2007 and have been very reliable other than one warranty repair (related to the fuel injection system) in one of the Chargers Aaron said. He also stated that the Chargers have been great to add to the fleet and the officers have enjoyed the change because these units have better performance power than the Crown Victorias.
In other matters on the agenda:
*Commissioners approved a proclamation which declares November 2010 as “Official Home Care and Hospice Month” for Brown County.
“I encourage people to support and participate,” stated County Judge Ray West. He urged the importance of learning how important care within the home and through Hospice is for the elderly and infirm.
*Application to install a buried water line on CR 105 was approved. This will involved a cut through a dirt county road.
*Commissioners heard a request for approval of Unit #3 Plat of Feather Bay which was presented by Richard Soliz representing Feather Bay developers. The proposed plat had not been reviewed by the county surveyor Don King, so the matter was tabled until King can review. If King reviews the plat in time for a meeting on October 25th, then a Commissioners Court meeting will convene on that date at 9am.
*Brown County Sheriff’s Office requested employee changes which were unanimously approved. Mike Barr has left his part time position and will be replaced by Doug Caffey.
*A tax resale deed was approved for Johnny Eisen and Debra Eisen for 1.0 acres, more or less, situated in Section 40 of the H.T. & B.R.R. Company Survey No. 5-89, Brown County, Texas. The bid for the property was $3476. The total due on the property is $3390. It appears that the taxes and court fees will be paid by the Eisen’s bid.
*In a separate special called meeting at 11am, Commissioners approved a resolution for the county to participate in the Indigent Defense Grant Program, a part of the Fair Defense Act. County Auditor, Nina Cox stated that Brown County has participated in this grant program for approximately 9 or 10 years now.
The county expects to receive approximately $75,000 which was the amount received in 2010. The grant is funded by court costs collected by Texas counties and is redistributed according to population and the amount of fees sent into the Basic Civil Indigent Legal fund according to Judge Ray West who also said that Brown County incurs nearly $500,000 in indigent legal costs each year.
