Federal Grants and Loans Provide 10 New Vehicles for Montgomery County
Federal grants and loans are providing 10 new vehicles for Montgomery County. These new additions replace vehicles up to 26 years of age and with high mileage and high maintenance costs, said County Manager Brandon Braddy.
The new vehicles will go to the county’s Sheriff’s Office, continued from page
the Road Department and the Emergency Medical Services.
The grants were funded through Community Facilities Loan and Grant Projects with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The county made the application for the grants during March 2020.
The loan/grant project applications were for a $157,300 loan and grant to purchase four equipped pickup trucks as patrol units for the Sheriff’s Office; a $154,000 loan and grant to purchase five equipped pickup trucks for the Road Department; and a $181,100 loan and grant to purchase one equipped ambulance for Emergency Medical Services.
In June 2020, the Montgomery County Commission closed on the loan and grant document with the USDA to purchase a new Chevrolet 3500 chassis with patient module and stretcher for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The County then issued a purchase order to Custom Truck & Body Works, Inc. of Woodbury to build the ambulance. The ambulance should be completed next month with an estimated delivery date before the end of February 2021. The patient module that will be installed on the 2020 Chevrolet chassis will be fully equipped with the latest medical equipment. The USDA will provide $50,000 in grant funds and finance the remaining $131,100 of the total $181,100 needed for this vehicle.
Following the ambulance project closing, in August 2020, the Commissioners closed on the loan and grant documents with the USDA to purchase the vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office and Road Department. The County then issued purchase orders to Woody Folsom Ford to purchase all nine additional vehicles.
The Sheriff’s Office includes four vehicles totaling $132,780. Each Sheriff’s Office vehicle will be equipped with prisoner transport cages, lights, and radios totaling $24,520. The USDA will provide $50,000 in grant funds and finance the remaining $107,300 of the total $157,300 required for this project.
The Road Department’s purchase includes five vehicles totaling $149,254. Each department vehicle will be fitted with amber lights and other equipment totaling $4,746. The USDA will provide $50,000 in grant funds and finance the remaining $104,000 of the total $154,000 required for this project.
“The timing of these vehicle deliveries is perfect,” said Leland Adams, County Commission Chairman. “The Road Department was almost at a point where major repairs were going to have to be made to most of the fleet. The County is grateful for the grant funding in addition to the financing.” He added that the county received a $50,000 grant for each loan/grant project, and that totals to $150,000 in grant funding which is nearly a mill of property tax. Sheriff Doug Maybin commented, “The Sheriff's Office sincerely appreciates the cooperation of the Montgomery County Commission and the USDA in order to provide the funds necessary to purchase desperately needed vehicles for our deputies! The addition of the four trucks will help keep our fleet upgraded and patrolling our county as needed instead of being in the shop.” The vehicles were delivered at the courthouse last week. The elected officials and county staff were on hand to receive and inspect the vehicles. Representing the County Commissioners were, Leland Adams, chairman, and Commissioners Tim Williamson, Chad Kenney, and Commissioner Ginger Morris. Representing the Road Department were Road Superintendent Milton Fountain and staff members Donny Walker, Bobby O’Conner, Mike Selph, Trawick Curl and Larry Williamson. Representing the Sheriff’s Office were, Sheriff Maybin, Chief Deputy Ron Bivins, Deputy Tyler Wimpey, Deputy Ben Maybin and Deputy Cody Johnston. Representing the Emergency Management Agency was EMA Director Donnie Daniels.
NEW VEHICLES DELIVERED – On hand for the delivery of nine new vehicles to the Montgomery County’s Sheriff’s Office and Road Department last week were, from left: EMA Director Donnie Daniels; Donny Walker, Road Department; Montgomery County Commissioner Tim Williamson; Road Superintendent Milton Fountain; Commission Chairman Leland Adams; Assistant Road Superintendent Bobbie O’Conner; Commissioner Ginger Morris; Mike Selph and Trawick Curl, Road Department; Commissioner Chad Kenney; and Larry Williamson, road Department.
