County approves replacement sheriff’s vehicle lease
JEFFERSON — Ashe County Commissioners approved the sheriff’s office Enterprise lease agreement on Nov. 2 to replace a totaled patrol vehicle. Two ACSO vehicles were declared total losses in separate incidents, one involving a vehicle pursuit and another while an officer was transporting someone. After reviewing dashboard camera footage, ACSO staff determined the incidents were unavoidable. The pursuit also followed department policy, the sheriff’s office said. The ACSO also said other department vehicles sustained damage from deer collisions. County Manager Adam Stumb said the county has already received insurance credit for one vehicle and is “waiting to settle” the other claim. Stumb said the county would also save on lease payments for the remainder of the year by operating with one fewer vehicle. “At the end of the day, budget-wise, it’s close to a wash,” Stumb said of the replacement costs through insurance. Leveraging his EMS background, Commissioner Wes Greene requested additional details about the accidents for clarification while stating his position on driver safety with county equipment, comparing it to firearm safety training. “We receive safety credits from our insurance,” Greene explained. “Anytime we can do driver training, we receive safety credits which saves us money. I want to
