BELL COUNTY -
The Bell County Sheriff's Office informed county commissioners Tuesday that they need at least 24 new service vehicles immediately. The total price tag for the units is more than $800,000.
Deputies say on an average year they need around 15 new cars, but the previous administration was only ordering two in hopes of saving money.
Now they have a fleet of vehicles that are way over mileage, some with more than 200,000 miles.
"We need to get these as soon as we can. What we are trying to do is, bottom line, save money," Lt. Don Adams said. "We can save money by replacing these cars now, pay the little more up front, or keep the old cars we have and pay more in maintenance."
On top of the new cars the Sheriff's Office said the previous administration did not stock the patrol cars with the necessary safety equipment, including first aid kits, jumper cables and fire extinguishers
