Dougherty County approves multiple equipment and vehicle purchases

Dougherty County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved several equipment and vehicle purchases for public works and the jail, using Sourcewell or single‑source contracts.

The board approved purchase of a Cat backhoe loader for $107,685 from a Sourcewell contract and a W430B (widening machine) for $246,007.34 from a Sourcewell contract with Yancey Caterpillar, Auburn, Georgia. Commissioners asked whether local vendors had been afforded a bidding opportunity; procurement staff explained Sourcewell is a pre‑bid cooperative contract that allows local governments to purchase without a separate RFP because the state or the cooperative already performed the bidding process. The board approved the purchases by unanimous consent.

Separately, the board approved purchasing 2025 Ford Police Responders for the jail (total $258,150) from Wade Ford and related safety equipment from Dana Safety Supply for $42,659.40. Commissioners discussed the state contract process and the opportunity for local vendors to participate in the statewide procurement.

All motions passed by unanimous consent. Staff noted the purchases are budgeted in the public‑works and jail funds.