Commissioners agree to purchase a pickup for use by county employees

YORK – After several conversations about whether a vehicle should be purchased for use by the county assessor’s office – as well as by all other county employees who might need to utilize it when conducting official county business – a decision has been made that they will be shopping for a pickup.

​The matter came up as the county’s veteran service office utilizes the one existing vehicle quite often – so often, to transport veterans to medical and other appointments, it’s hard for the assessor’s office and other employees to have access to it.
The commissioners asked Assessor Kurt Bulgrin to get some state bid quotes (which helps the county get a better price) regarding a number of different makes and models. During earlier conversations the board members said they were leaning toward a pickup which could be used to haul things (for example, it could be used by the clerk’s office on election days when transporting equipment to polling sites).
“This vehicle would be for everyone, correct?” asked Commissioner LeRoy Ott.
“Yes, it would be for all county employees,” Bulgrin responded.
“I brought up a pickup because it could have utility purposes,” said Commissioner Jack Sikes.
“I’m still wavering as to whether or not we need a second vehicle,” said Commissioner Daniel Grotz. “I totally agree a pickup would have more versatility of use.”
Bulgrin explained how his office, at certain times of year, would probably use it four days a week. “And you guys (the commissioners) have meetings, officials have meetings, it will be utilized and it probably won’t be replaced for 10 years or more.”
Bulgrin said his office would most use it March through August and at the end of the year when they check commercial permits.
“You’ve made the case your office needs access to a vehicle,” Grotz said to Bulgrin. “I’m just reasoning as to if we could access the vehicle we already have or go this way. We also talked about doing a 6-month tracking period to see the actual usage of the vehicle we have and to figure out how much we’d save in mileage paid to those using their own vehicles, to see if this is really warranted.”
“I could be on board with that,” said Commissioner Andy Bowman. “But my problem, Kurt, is that your ask came after we did the budget.”
“His request, actually, was in a letter to the budget committee as he was asking for the money to come from ARPA (federal COVID relief) funds,” Grotz said.
“OK, so I guess moving forward, to everyone, if you need a vehicle, put it directly in your budget,” Bowman said. “I also am with you, Daniel, on the utilization of the vehicle but I do not want to see the veteran service vehicle taken out of veteran vehicle services.”
“Are we interested in getting a second vehicle and if so, what vehicle is that?” asked Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier.
“We certainly don’t need a vehicle with all the bells and whistles,” Bulgrin said.
“Let’s have a motion if you want to see a second vehicle, with instructions regarding the bids,” Obermier said.
Bowman made a motion to move forward with eventually purchasing a second vehicle, which would be a ½-ton pickup under the cost of $40,000, and for Bulgrin to get three bids by the next meeting. The motion didn’t authorize Bulgrin to purchase a vehicle, just get the bids for pickups with the intention of them buying one if it fits their specifications.
All the commissioners voted in favor, with the exception of Grotz who voted no.