SCSO requests funding for additional vehicles

WALLACE – Shoshone County Undersheriff Lance Stutzke met with county commissioners last week to propose the purchase of three new patrol vehicles for the sheriff’s office. 

The department is looking to replace three aging vehicles, each plagued by high mileage and mechanical issues, with two Dodge Durangos and a Ford F-150 pickup truck. 

Stutzke noted that the typical lifespan of a Shoshone County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) vehicle is around 150,000 miles, roughly 50,000 miles more than the national average, according to auto-facts.org. 

The SCSO maintains a diverse fleet of sedans, SUVs, and pickups, which Stutzke said allows deputies to patrol both urban streets and rugged terrain throughout Shoshone County. The variety also enables the department to haul specialty trailers and equipment when needed. 

The estimated cost for the new vehicles is approximately $145,000, with each Durango priced at around $45,000 and the pickup trucks ranging from $53,000 to $55,000. 

County Grant Administrator Colleen Rosson informed the board that roughly $2.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds remain available and could potentially be used for the purchase. However, Commissioner Jeff Zimmerman expressed caution, citing concerns that other departments may also require funding from the same pool. 

"I'd like to talk to everybody and get everybody in again and figure out where we're going to be with our grants," Zimmerman said. 

Stutzke explained that even if approved, the new vehicles wouldn’t be ready for patrol for another eight to nine months due to the time required to outfit them with specialized equipment and security features, an additional cost that can reach up to $15,000 per vehicle. 

To help offset some of those costs, Stutzke said the department may be able to repurpose equipment from several decommissioned vehicles, though he’s uncertain how much of it will be compatible with the new models. 

Commissioners were receptive to the proposal but requested an inventory of the existing equipment before moving forward. 

During the public comment period, one resident questioned the need for more vehicles, pointing out that the department has purchased eight new cars over the past three years, nearly half of its active fleet. 

Stutzke acknowledged the figure but emphasized that the department had gone several years without any new purchases prior to that. 

“We were so far behind on vehicles, and you get that far behind, this is what happens,” Stutzke said. “You end up with a fleet that’s all dying vehicles.” 

The commissioners expect to have a bigger discussion concerning how the county spends its remaining grant funds in the coming weeks.