First let me say that it was printed in my article on July 13, 2011 that the commissioners voted 3-1 to purchase the new vehicles for the sheriff’s department. I reported that commissioners Terry Niblett and Jr. Howell voted to purchase the vehicles and commissioner Watkins voted against. Then county clerk Linda Lowery asked commission chairman Dan McCranie about voting in case it was a tie vote. McCranie said, “I vote yes.”
McCranie’s vote did not count because there was not a tie. The commission chairman (Dan McCranie), can only vote if there is a tie vote from the other commissioners, therefore the vote to purchase the vehicles was 2-1.
Commissioner Watkins stated in his letter that the vehicles would cost almost $50,000.00 each. After reading this, I requested a copy of the bids from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department.
There were five bids requested and four received. The bids were as follows: Bobby Jones Ford in Augusta bid $32,302.12 per vehicle, Brannen Ford in Unadilla bid $32,354.00 per vehicle, McClaggan Communications in Hahira bid $32,509.25 per vehicle, Duvall Ford in Jacksonville, Florida bid $32,175.00 per vehicle and Winder Ford in Winder did not bid.
Duvall Ford in Jacksonville, Florida did have the lowest bid, but with the transfer fees and service fees for the vehicles, it would have exceeded the bid from Brannen Ford. Brannen Ford did add that if a vehicle needed servicing, they would make the trip to Dodge County to pick up the vehicle for repair at no charge during the warranty period. The vehicle purchase from Brannen Ford did include all the equipment to get the cars on the road when delivered (lights, siren, radio, cage, etc.).
The two-year old vehicles available with 65K-70K miles for $13,000.00 to $15,000.00 that were in commissioner Watkins’ letter were un-equipped.
According to one of the bids, which itemized equipment necessary for a law enforcement vehicle, it would cost approximately $11,780.00 to equip a vehicle. A new un-equipped vehicle would cost $20,395.00.
Commissioners voted to purchase new vehicles that were equipped instead of used un-equipped vehicles that they would have to equip.
Watkins stated that the equipment from the old vehicles could be placed in the newer used vehicles. According to the sheriff’s department, the radios in the old cars are not narrow band compliant, which is required by the state to be in all emergency vehicles by December of 2012. The narrow band compliant radios are included with the purchase of the new vehicles.
Other items that would not transfer to the newer used vehicles are: cameras, because parts to fix them are not available; cages, because the frame on the newer used vehicles is different and some of the light bars would transfer and some would not.
The newer used vehicles would not have video cameras or any type warranty. The new vehicles will be equipped with video cameras and have a bumper to bumper warranty for three years.
According to the 2011 budget approved by the commissioners, including Watkins, the sheriff’s department had a line item to spend $88,000.00 on new vehicle purchases. Sheriff Hinson will still be within his budget by leasing the four vehicles.
When will we have a say so about how our money is spent? Our federal government seems to care nothing about us and it seems as if our local government doesn't give a hill a beans about us also.
I am sure we funded the project for the new jail to be built but do our local official care about it sitting there rusting away? I don't think so ,all they care about is looking good in their new uniforms and upcomming spanking brand new cars.
What about the human lives at the current jail, staff and inmates are at a risk because of the outdated fire codes at the jail they call a work place and jail cells.