Newly-hired Sunflower County Economic Development Director Frederick Washington will have to wait on a new vehicle.
An attempt at last week’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors to purchase a new SUV for Washington was stopped when a motion to accept a submitted bid failed.
After a brief discussion, a motion made by President Glenn Donald to approve purchasing a $42,700 Chevrolet Tahoe for the new economic development director died for lack of a second.
However, District 3 Supervisor Dennis Holmes then suggested they table the issue until the lawmakers could explore other options for a better price.
Holmes said he understands that the cost of vehicles has risen, but he was hoping for a price closer to and comparative to the state-contract price. “I had no idea it was going to be right at $43,000,” he said.
District 5 Supervisor Gloria Dickerson was also opposed to the purchase because of the price.
“That’s too much money to pay for a vehicle,” she said.
She asked if there was something cheaper and County Administrator Gloria McIntosh said the “police package” for the Tahoe was about $10,000 less, based on state-contract prices.
“That’s better than forty-two, if you can save $10,000, save it,” said District 2 Supervisor Riley Rice.
Based on the gist of the conversation, the referenced police package simply provides fewer amenities, but would not contain any of the equipment used in law enforcement vehicles.
The vehicle they were discussing is a 2019 model and Donald rejected the idea of the state-contract option and attempted to provide evidence that older model Tahoes were selling for around the same or more than the $42,000 amount.
However, Dickerson responded with a scenario that depicted the paradoxical idea of the economic director taking visitors to Drew in a new vehicle and riding them around on the old rough-riding bumpy roads. “What (would) we look like paying that kind of money for a vehicle with the roads all beat up with potholes and stuff,” she said.
“That ain’t got nothing to do with him, that’s got something to do with the people you had in the position, that ain't got nothing to do with the economic development man,” said Donald.
He asserted that the director of economic development would be traveling to places other than Drew and since he has been tasked with a job they should provide him with what he needs to do it.
Dickerson expressed that she understood Donald’s position, but maintained there should be some balance in what he is driving and where he is driving. According to McIntosh, the county had budgeted $33,000 for the purchase of a new vehicle with the stipulation that additional funds would be added if needed.
In other business,
The lawmakers received and accepted the January report and monthly settlement from Sheriff James Haywood, which amounted to $26,725 and over 3,000 meals served.
No action was taken following a discussion to purchase up to five additional vehicles for the sheriff’s department.
Donald asserted that staff increases, at the department, have put the sheriff’s department in a position where it does not have enough vehicles for the deputies.
Haywood said in addition to the normal patrols he has deputies answering calls in Moorhead because of their officer shortage and Sunflower overnight.
Donald said they have reached out to several entities that are researching possible grants, including South Delta Planning and Development and the Justice Assistance Grant program.
