Three separate calls for bids were approved by the Board of Lewis County Commissioners on Monday for the replacement of 16 county vehicles.
The calls for bids were issued to provide local dealerships in Lewis County the opportunity to sell the vehicles to the county, according to Erik Martin, public works director.
All of the vehicles were scheduled, budgeted and approved for replacement in 2018.
The fleet services division of the Lewis County Public Works Department determined seven pickup trucks, three SUVs, and six patrol vehicles for the sheriff’s office are in need of replacement.
The vehicles include one two-wheel drive extended cab long-bed pickup, two four-by-four extended cab short-bed pickups, four four-by-four extended cab long-bed pickups, three SUVs for community development, code enforcement and juvenile detention, as well as two new crew cab four-by-four pickups and four new interceptor utility/SUVs for the sheriff’s office.
Earlier this year, the I-5 Auto Group Sales management team sent a letter to The Chronicle voicing concerns that the county was not purchasing vehicles from local car lots, but instead was using the state purchasing agreement.
Meetings between the dealership and the county were then held.
Martin said the county made a commitment to the area dealerships to provide them with the opportunity to bid.
Bids are due by 11 a.m. on Jan. 4 to the clerk of the Board of Lewis County Commissioners. The bids will be publicly opened on or after 11 a.m. the same day in the commissioners meeting room, room 223, at the courthouse, 351 NW North St., Chehalis.
