Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending that the Board approve and authorize:
1) The Purchasing Agent to process a Change Order to Purchase Order 21001194 to Trivan Truck Body LLC to increase the total amount to approximately $194,000 for the purchase of a new truck van body for a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) vehicle; and
2) An increase to the CSI Van item on the Sheriff’s Office FY 2022-23 Fixed Asset List from $250,000 to $285,000 to account for cost increases to the vehicle body and the chassis.
FUNDING: General Fund savings from other Fixed Asset purchases.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The current CSI vehicle is an aging ambulance that was purchased by the county for $1. It has been utilized as the CSI vehicle for over 10 years and served its purpose when needed, however it is not ideal given its age and the wear and tear that has been put on the vehicle. Since it was previously utilized as an ambulance, this vehicle has not been customized or purposefully built for the CSI function, therefore, CSI tools and equipment do not fit properly in the current vehicle. While there are many drawers and cabinets, they are not built for the size of items that the Sheriff's Office utilizes. In turn, nearly all the CSI equipment is laid on the floor of the vehicle for transportation and then rummaged through to find the proper piece of equipment needed at a crime scene. The vehicle can only hold a minimal amount of equipment and personnel. Due to this, CSI members are required to travel to a crime scene in their personal vehicles or are forced to find a patrol vehicle that they can use. Another hindrance is that the ambulance is not 4-wheel drive making many areas in the County off limits for travel causing tools and equipment to be moved from the ambulance to whatever vehicle is available causing unnecessary delay. Finally, the ambulance has several mechanical and engine issues, and currently will not start due to a possible electrical issue. It has over 170,0...
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