Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending that the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to process a Change Order to Purchase Order 21001194 with TriVan Truck Body LLC to increase the total amount to approximately $220,000 to outfit the chassis of a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Vehicle;
2) Increase the amount of the replacement CSI Vehicle to $220,000 on the FY 2024-25 Fixed Asset list; and
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a FY 2024-25 budget transfer increasing the Sheriff's Office Fixed Asset appropriations by $10,000 for the completion of the CSI Vehicle by increasing the use of Special Revenue Funds (4/5 vote required).
FUNDING: Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund.
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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 15 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, th...
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