Clay County OKs lease of unmarked vehicle for social-services fraud investigators

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on July 22 approved leasing an unmarked county vehicle dedicated to the Social Services Fraud Prevention Investigations (FPI) unit to improve responsiveness to tips and field investigations.
Quinn, a county staff member, told the board the FPI unit has two investigators who frequently must conduct interviews, surveillance and field investigations on short notice. Quinn said vehicle availability from the general fleet has been inconsistent and that investigators have sometimes relied on personal vehicles and mileage reimbursement.
Quinn said the county received an increase in the fraud-prevention grant — from $125,000 to $189,000 — and has earmarked about $8,000 of that award to cover the leased vehicle at $517.51 per month (roughly $6,200 annually). The request included a deviation from the county’s standard fleet policy to permit an unmarked vehicle for discretion during investigations. The Personnel and Internal Controls (PIC) committee had reviewed and supported the request on July 15.
Commissioner Ebinger moved to lease the vehicle and require it be unmarked; Commissioner Baer seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. Staff said they would coordinate with Joe (county fleet manager) on delivery timing.