The Starke County Commissioners reviewed a request from Sheriff Bill Dulin last week concerning the purchase of salvaged vehicles to replace aging squad cars on the fleet.
Sheriff Dulin previously explained that with the cost of two new vehicles, he could buy several more salvaged diesel vehicles with the money appropriated for new diesel vehicles ( you can check new diesel van info) . He said he would not get any vehicles with a history of flood damage or collision damage. The vehicles would have simple cosmetic damage, but considered road worthy.
Many of the current squad cars on the Sheriff’s Department fleet have well over 100,000 miles on them and there is a constant need for repair. He would buy the salvaged cars to replace these older vehicles, but keep them around for parts.
Once they are purchased and before they officially become a police commissioned vehicle, the Indiana State Police will conduct an inspection to ensure they are safe to hit the road.
Sheriff Dulin noted that he’s not increasing the number of the vehicles on the fleet, but buying several vehicles to replace cars that need to be retired. The insurance company will insure the vehicles.
Two new SUVs would cost in the neighborhood of $76,000 and the commissioners agreed to allow the sheriff to purchase the salvaged vehicles with that amount of money from the Jail CEDIT fund. Commissioner Bryan Cavender made the motion with Commission President Charlie Chesak seconding the motion. Commissioner Kathy Norem stated she wasn’t comfortable with the purchase, but wanted the sheriff to have the vehicles, thus abstaining from the vote.
