Sheriff discusses vehicle order, equipment costs; commission moves to executive session on personnel

Sheriff Walter told the Morgan County Commission on June 4 that a previously approved patrol vehicle is en route and that the county will soon face additional outfitting costs for lights, radios and radar units.

Commissioners and the sheriff discussed that the ordered vehicle is scheduled to ship in June and that the base vehicle price discussed at the meeting was $42,000. Commissioners noted prior purchases cost about $63,000 when vehicles included lights and equipment; that model did include lights, this newer order did not.

The sheriff said radios and radar will add to total costs: participants cited mobile radios at about $8,000 and portable radios at about $6,000. Commissioners also raised the age of some of the department’s existing radar units and the need to prioritize replacement. One staff speaker noted the department has reserve vehicles that can be cycled down as newer units enter service.

After discussing equipment priorities and possible savings by moving older vehicles to reserve status, Commissioner Forte moved the commission into an executive session "to have a discussion about personnel." The motion to enter executive session for personnel discussion was made, seconded and approved; the public portion of the meeting paused for that closed session.

No personnel actions were recorded in the public minutes at the time of adjournment, and no additional formal budget appropriation for outfitting was adopted at the June 4 meeting. Commissioners asked staff and the sheriff to return cost estimates and options for vehicle outfitting at a future meeting.