New vehicle bids top County Commissioners discussion

• New vehicle bids top County Commissioners discussion

How to purchase three new sheriff ’s department vehicles dominated the Shelby County Commissioners’ court meeting Wednesday, May 1.

Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison said, “I feel like (Sheriff Kevin Windham) wanted this to come out of the grant money.” There were no sheriff ’s office representatives at the meeting.

“It’s kind of hard to have a discussion if the requester is not here to at least present their case,” Comm. Tom Bellmyer said.

Comm. Roscoe McSwain said, “Even though this has a BuyBoard number, and this is grant money … or no matter where the money’s from, we should bid this out. It’s over $50,000.”

Bellmyer noted that about two months ago, the sheriff ’s department requested three vehicles but were looking for (Ford) F150s. “So, we switched from trucks and now we’re back to cars.”

“Two Tahoes and a pickup,” McSwain clarified.

“Well, I want clarification why we’re not goings out for bids,” McSwain said. He contended that if the argument was Buy-Board has the vehicles in stock, that may not negate the legal step of soliciting bids. “And is this the same company that was supposed to do the uplift on a constable vehicle that never got done,” he asked?

Harbison said she favored using a local company in order to see whether upgrades were being done.

Bellmyer added that the county would have a sheriff elect soon, adding that he should have some influence on the decision.

Harbison reiterated that having a sheriff ’s department representative present was the best way to proceed.

“BuyBoard is a bid process in and of itself. But it has to be bid,” John Price, County Attorney affirmed.

“But (the sheriff ’s department) didn’t go through BuyBoard,” McSwain said. “They just put a BuyBoard number on it. So, it hasn’t been put out for other dealerships (to bid.) And that’s not in the scope of their work anyway. That has to come through Ann’s (Blackwell, County Treasurer) department.”

Harbison added that the treasurer’s office has a good working relationship with BuyBoard and TIPS, (Texas-based Interlocal Purchasing System serving the procurement needs of public entities) to ensure the process meets state requirements.

Bellmyer said he felt that the sheriff ’s department should attend a commissioners court meeting and readdress the purchase with the county treasurer present. The item was tabled after McSwain agreed that he wanted the matter to come back to court.

Haul Truck Purchases Quotes for previously approved haul truck purchases for each commissioner’s precinct was approved.

According to Harbison, GrantWorks felt the best process was to send requests for quotes rather going through BuyBoard. “This process will take four to five weeks,” the judge added.

McSwain said he wanted to authorize Blackwell to move forward without delay. “If we can, let’s give her the authority.” “And you may do so,” Price confirmed.

Blackwell Named Cybersecurity Admin The last item was recording Blackwell’s completion of a 12-week Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership Master’s Certificate Program through the National Association of Counties Professional Development Academy making the county treasurer the county cybersecurity administrator.

“This has been a long, drawn-out thing,” Harbison noted. “She had 200 activities … that she had to complete and pass, and she did pass with flying colors.”

“That’s pretty impressive, 200 out of 200,” said Bellmyer.

“I would like to put it in the record for posterity,” Harbison added. “I really doubt there’s a lot of counties that have an elected official that’s doing this.”

In other business, the court approved paying the weekly expenses.