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Ohio County Facing Challenges With Purchasing Vehicles For Deputies

WHEELING - The Ohio County Sheriff's Department recently advertised for bids to purchase new vehicles, but there were no takers, as no law enforcement-type vehicles appear to be available for purchase.

And once they are purchased, it costs more than $30,000 to outfit each one with equipment, according to Deputy Maj. Rod Vaught.

Vaught updated commissioners this week on the challenges he is facing as he facilitates the purchase of new vehicles. He is wanting to replace at least five of the department's current SUVs that have exceeded 100,000 miles of use, with others in the fleet quickly approaching that mark.

The traditional police "car" is no longer being produced, Vaught previously explained to commissioners. All vehicles manufactured for law enforcement use are now SUVs such as Ford Explorers or Chevy Tahoes.

The manufacturers also are now making fewer of the models to keep some dealers from hoarding them. They also have a new policy in which they will not manufacture a law enforcement SUV unless they have a written commitment from the agency that is purchasing the vehicle.

"We received no bids for the Chevy Tahoes (specified in the recent bid advertisement)," Vaught told commissioners. "I was told by Whiteside they expected to get 30, and at the last minute they got seven. Nobody has any."

He has reached out to other dealerships known to have large supplies, and they also have no Explorers or Tahoes available.

The pricing on 2025 models should come out in May, Vaught added. He sought permission from the commissioners to again advertise for bids as soon as these are available so the process can be started.

Commissioner Zach Abraham had previously asked Vaught to also provide details on how much it costs to outfit the SUVs after they are purchased.

Most of the computer-related equipment for the vehicle comes from Vericom, who charges the county about $20,959 per car for the work. The cost for rear storage equipment is $3,026, and front and rear radar guns cost another $2,475. A two-camera system with wireless audio transmitter adds $9,700,.

When all totaled, the cost comes to more than $36,000 per vehicle.

Vaught noted that new radios for the vehicles would not have to be purchased.

"This is not a lot of bells and whistles we are putting into this," he said. "Everything is expensive."

Commissioner Randy Wharton said he has spoken with contacts he has with the West Virginia State Police, and he wanted to speak privately with Vaught about what he learned of their process of obtaining SUVs.

"They are in a similar situation, and are having the same experiences getting vehicles," he told Vaught.

Commissioners gave him permission to start the bid process once the new pricing is available.