The Starke County Commissioners approved the purchase Monday of two vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department and one for the Starke County Coroner for less than $40,000.
The Sheriff’s Department received a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Indiana Department of Energy Development through the South Shore Clean Cities Program. Sheriff’s Department Office Manager Pam McDonald told the commissioners that the agreement calls for the purchase of a Hybrid 2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor with an electric motor and Microplex and to get another of the same vehicle. The quotes for the vehicles are from Bosak Ford out of Burns Harbor, a partner in the grant. .
The cost of the two vehicles totaled $77,806. McDonald explained that the commissioners would need to approve $27,806 through the Cumulative Capital Development Fund to fully purchase the vehicles along with the $50,000 grant. They approved the purchase with a unanimous vote.
Additionally, the commissioners discussed the purchase of a new vehicle for the coroner’s office. They received quotes for used vehicles and a 2021 Ford Expedition from a ford service that was helping them expedite the process. They agreed to use the rest of the CARES Act funding to purchase the 2021 Ford Expedition.
The balance of the CARES Act Fund is about $32,000. About $8,000 or $9,000 would need to be taken out of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund to complete the purchase of the vehicle.
It was clarified that the coroner does respond to deaths of COVID-19 patients and the purchase of the vehicle would qualify for use of that money.
Commission President Charlie Chesak asked if any other needs were awaiting the use of those funds, and Auditor Rachel Oesterreich indicated that everything was already submitted for reimbursement.
The commissioners approved the purchase with a unanimous vote.
Starke County Council President Dave Pearman added that it was the recommendation of the council to buy the coroner’s vehicle for what the CARES Act funding would cover and not use county money to pay toward the vehicle. Chesak countered that they wanted to purchase a vehicle that would reliable for a long time instead of needing immediate repairs and thought the approved purchase was the right selection.
