Ellis County Commissioners approve vehicle purchases

ELLIS COUNTY – A discussion to purchase a 2024 Ford Police Interceptor Explorer for Pct. 4 Constable Mike Jones passed the preliminary stages of purchase.  

It was noted during the commissioners court presentation on this item, the vehicle is a heavy duty vehicle used on patrol.

The request was to purchase this vehicle from Sewell Ford, beginning with a purchase order in order to secure the purchase. The item will be brought back in the form of a contract from American National Leasing.

“We were able grab one, it is not out there” it was explained because these vehicles are in such high demand.

Ellis County Judge Todd Little said, “We did not budget for $56,000 for this, we budgeted a lease payment the first year.”

Little wanted to make sure the contract would be brought back later, it was not clear when the vehicle would actually be purchased.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Butler made the motion to approve the $56,000 vehicle for use in his district, which was seconded by Commissioner Lane Grayson, pct. 2.

Road and Bridge Pct. 3, where Louis Ponder resides as commissioner, was also on the agenda to one 2024 Dodge Ram 3500 4wd Chassis and one 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 in the amount of $130,303.50 using a BuyBoard Cooperative contract.

These vehicles are available for immediate delivery, and are replacing trucks that are being phased out.