Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs showcased three newer vehicles at his office today at a press release. These vehicle are currently in use by county officers, but they were added to the Sheriff’s fleet at no tax payer expense.
These vehicles were acquired and equipped through a combination of drug seizures, grants, and Evercom money. Evercom is the collect & prepaid phone system in the county jail that inmates use and pay for calls which generates money for use by the Sheriffs office and jail.
Sheriff Grubbs explained, “I come up with $97,000 worth of vehicles that we have here that has not cost the taxpayers of Brown County a dime. It saves us from going back into our budget to try and buy these vehicles. It has been a major boost to us.”
Sheriff Grubbs continued, “We are mindful of the taxpayers money, and we are constantly fighting a tight budget.”
The three vehicles showcased today were a 2006 H3 Hummer, 2009 Chevy Tahoe, and a 2009 Ford F150 Pickup.
-The 2006 H3 Hummer was seized in a drug raid in November 2008 and awarded to the Sheriff’s Office.
Captain Tony Aaron said, “Part of the interlocal agreement with the DA’s office, that Hummer is technically half the DA’s office, so they are letting us use their half.”
If the vehicle would have been sold, the District Attorney’s office and the Sheriff’s office would have split the proceeds.
Captain Aaron said that the value of the Hummer is about $20,000-$24,000. There was another $10,000 worth of equipment installed in the vehicle including lights, siren, radios, & video equipment which was also paid for by drug seizure money.
Aaron also explained, “The sale of it would have been worth a whole lot less to us. There would not even be enough money to buy even a brand new police car.”
The Sheriff’s office also likes the fact that the seized Hummer helps send a message to other potential drug dealers.
Grubbs said, “I want to send a message, and I think it does.”
The Hummer is a 4-wheel drive vehicle and is in use by the patrol sergeant.
-The 2009 Chevy Tahoe is in use by the Sheriff’s K9 officer and was purchased though a federal JAG grant. This vehicle was outfitted with $10,000 worth of equipment as well paid for by the Evercom fund and other seized funds.
Grubbs said, “This one was paid for more or less by inmates and a federal grant at no cost to the taxpayers.”
-The 2009 Ford F-150 is in use by the Environmental Officer. $14,500 of the vehicle purchase came from an environmental grant. Evercom funds were used to pay the $10,000 balance of the purchase and about $5000 for equipment was paid for by Evercom funds and seized funds.
The Sheriff pointed out that the Environmental officer position itself was created through a grant as well.
Captain Aaron said regarding all three vehicles, “That would have been three more vehicles we would have had to ask for in this budget year to keep our fleet where we needed it.”
Grubbs agreed and said, “These vehicles are a welcome addition to our fleet.”
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