Pulaski Sheriff’s Department Breaks Seal on 2012 Budget

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department

The Pulaski Sheriff’s Department has found itself with some more vehicle-related problems. A 2006 Ford Taurus has recently developed an issue with a low oil pressure light, and two different mechanics gave the same grim news: the motor needs rebuilt or replaced.

While this is not good news for any time of the year, it’s especially bad news this late. With the end of this year’s budget approaching, the county’s pockets are close to empty. After getting two quotes on used cars, Sheriff Mike Gayer asked the commissioners to approve $9,900 to purchase a used Buick Lacrosse, but the request comes with a twist—the funds would come from the 2012 budget.

“We had a car go down at a bad time of year because of the end of the budget, so we got an approval to trade for the same year, an ’06 car, five years old but it’ll do what we need it to do,” said Gayer.

In the 2012 budget, $70,000 is allotted to the department to purchase three new cars, and Braun has agreed to allow the Sheriff’s Department to use the car at no cost until the funds are available. The commissioners approved Gayer’s request, and he will be able to take the cost of the vehicle out of his 2012 budget when it is available this month.

Gayer also requested that the commissioners allow two dispatchers to attend a two-day emergency communications class on Nov. 15 and 16 in Greenwood, Indiana. The class carries a cost of $823 to be taken out of the 911 fund, and the commissioners approved this request.