Bourbon County signs master equity-lease to begin replacing sheriff’s patrol vehicles

The Bourbon County Commission on Oct. 14 authorized the chair to sign a master equity-lease agreement that allows the sheriff’s office to begin a phased replacement of aging patrol and service vehicles through a fleet-management lease-to-own program. Sheriff Murphy presented a scaled request for fewer vehicles than an earlier ask and said the county’s current fleet contains multiple vehicles at or near the point of failure.

The commission approved allowing the county’s authorized representative to sign the master equity-lease agreement with Enterprise (master equity-lease) and directed staff to continue negotiations on the final vehicle count and schedule. Commissioners and staff discussed tradeoffs: leasing spreads upfront cost, includes turnkey outfitting and resale handling, and can return equity at vehicle disposal; it generally costs more over time than outright purchase but delivers predictable annual payments and reduces county logistics for buying, outfitting and selling vehicles.

Sheriff Murphy said he believes a smaller initial step — seven or eight vehicles — would help replace the most-critical fleet pieces and reduce safety risk posed by vehicles with high mileage and known mechanical problems. Commissioners noted the program requires an ongoing commitment and urged caution about recurring budget commitments; they also discussed potential offsets, including future inmate-housing revenues.

Motion to allow the chair to sign the master equity-lease agreement passed. The commission instructed staff and the sheriff’s office to return with final lease numbers, payment schedule and proposed financing scenarios for the chosen vehicle count.