County Vehicles Up for Sale
Executive Director of Administration Dan Lucovich explained that 16 county vehicles will be up for bid beginning as early as next week online.
by Jonathan Weaver
More than a dozen vehicles currently used by Armstrong County officials and staffers will be sold during the next three months.
Executive Director of Administration Dan Lucovich said the 16 vehicles were from various departments in the county – including from agencies not located on Market Street in Kittanning, such as the Area Agency on Aging and the Armstrong County Jail in Rayburn Township.
“They were from almost every department. Some (departments) had older vehicles,” Lucovich said. “They’re still in service currently – we’re pulling them out of service.”
The 16 vehicles range from a 1996 Ford E Van to a 2008 Pontiac Torrent, and will be sold in lots of five on Municbid during the next three months. Lucovich said, while some may have faulty equipment or high miles, some are just not needed anymore.
The list of vehicles is costing the County approximately $20,000 annually to maintain.
A newspaper advertisement is also expected to allow local residents to bid on the vehicles.
Lucovich said the first vehicles sold in the next few weeks include three Chevy Impalas and three Chevy Trail Blazers. One of the three Trail Blazers was the commissioners’ office vehicle.
The plan is for departments that will no longer have the vehicle to pull from a pool of vehicles.
Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian said the sale is part of commissioners’ overall mission to save money and reduce the vehicle fleet.
“Every vehicle on here costs us insurance, parts and maintenance,” Fabian said. ‘What do we need’ is the big question we asked.”
Commissioners consulted with Fleet Maintenance Manager Marty Coleman on the vehicle sales.
Any money collected during the sale will go into the County General Fund.
Local News | jweaver April 8, 2016
By jorn jensen, April 8, 2016 @ 7:35 AM
Are any of these vehicles being replaced with new vehicles? I couldn’t find that information anywhere in the article.
By watchdog15, April 9, 2016 @ 9:44 AM
It appears this is good news to get old vehicles off the backs of the taxpayers. Probably occurred in most prior administrations too. Low hanging fruit is easy. Have the Commissioners stopped the employees and county officials driving vehicles back and forth to work every day? No private sector business would allow such abuse. Could have happened on day one. Just campaign rhetoric.
By worthingtonman, April 9, 2016 @ 10:38 PM
Finally a ray of hope for theses Commisioners. They should probably have sold them to the general public and let the taxpayers get a crack at them instead of pawning them off in groups of five. Somebody teach these guys how to use Craigslist. It is free as I am sure municibids is not. I am for one sick and tired of seeing the sheriff department vehicles sitting at employees homes. Drive to work in your own vehicles like most other people do. I also heard the new Warden is making some positive moves at the jail. Hopefully he gets rid of the Country Club label this facility has on it. Jail is supposed to be tough and really really suck. Although I still feel Rupert and the other members of the prison board should resign for their parts in the tragedy. Or do they only take credit when things go well?
By ktown_kid, April 11, 2016 @ 9:16 AM
They are selling these off but made 2 secretary positions up for themselves at a higher rate than others are making. We seen this before!!÷
By Watchingfromadistance, April 25, 2016 @ 12:15 PM
I am glad to see that the Commissioners are selling of the old vehicles, and creating a vehicle take home policy. In the Leader Times, I read that the Sheriff, DA, and a few others are still taking vehciles home. The EMA truck was not included in this list, but is still going home every night,why is that?
By mad-2010, April 26, 2016 @ 1:53 PM
I’d have to agree with you on this post… Wman….
By watchdog15, April 26, 2016 @ 3:38 PM
I thought there was a hiring freeze and no new positions? Lots of rhetoric about asking departments to downsize if I recall. I suggest the readers look at the county website and try to read the public meeting minutes too. Nothing current. What happened to transparency as stated on the campaign trail?