JOHNSTOWN - The Fulton County Board of Supervisors last week authorized the Sheriff's Department to buy two patrol vehicles, but the deal isn't through the usual state contract.
Instead, the county is using a bid received by Ontario County.
Sheriff Thomas Lorey received board approval to buy two Dodge Chargers through Main Motorcar of Johnstown, which was successfully awarded a bid by Ontario County. The final price of the vehicles, including purchase and installation of light bars and security accessories, is not to exceed $30,215 per car.
Lorey said Monday he's already put in an order to buy the vehicles. His department has 17 vehicles at any given time, he said.
County Administrative Officer Jon Stead, county purchasing agent, said county government normally buys patrol vehicles via state contract through the Office of General Services, but he said those deals "take time" and the state doesn't have a contract in place this year.
"Some of the counties are going ahead and putting a [request for bids] out on their own," Stead said.
Counties can "piggyback" their purchases onto bids received by other counties, he said. This is what Fulton County is doing.
The base bid for the cars through Main Motorcar - excluding the accessories - was $21,880 apiece.
The resolution approved by the Fulton County board noted police vehicles currently are unavailable under OGS contract.
The resolution indicated Ontario County sought bids for patrol cars and awarded contracts for several different vehicle models, with a clause extending prices to "all political subdivisions and districts located in New York state."
Stead said Lorey was in immediate need of the vehicles and didn't want to wait until a state contract is in place.
"The sheriff wants to get moving," Stead said.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.