SCSO to purchase new vehicle locally

The purchase of a new vehicle for the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office from a local dealership was approved by commissioners Monday during a special meeting. The approval followed last week’s request from Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach.

During a regular meeting held Monday, Oct. 24, Roach requested Stephens County Commissioners approve the purchase of a new 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

In May, a request was heard and approved by commissioners to purchase a new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for $45,716 through Caldwell Chevrolet, a dealership near College Station. However, the vehicle has not yet been manufactured and Caldwell Chevrolet has not given an estimated date as to when it will be available.

Per the previous agreement, the purchase of the new vehicle will be paid for by insurance money received due to hail damage, with any remaining costs paid for by money collected from the sale of seized vehicles.

The sheriff’s office will use law enforcement equipment already owned by SCSO, but will require a cost of labor to transfer the equipment into the vehicle, as well as a new grill guard and new floor plates, as the current floor plates will not fit the newer year model vehicle.

Current policy requires vehicle purchases to be under $50,000 per vehicle, otherwise price bids from a minimum of three dealerships must be obtained, with an obligation to purchase from the low- est bidder regardless of vehicle features or equipment.

Due to the original asking price of the currently available vehicle from Bayer Chevrolet in Breckenridge being $51,427, commissioners requested Roach attempt to get the total cost lowered to under $50,000.

During the special meeting, held Monday, Oct. 31, Roach presented Bayer’s final price of $49,999, and the purchase request was approved unanimously.