Panel Approves Sheriff’s Vehicles

— Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies will hit the road this spring in Chevrolet Tahoes as the department begins changing its patrol vehicle.

Sheriff Kelley Cradduck asked the Quorum Court’s Committee of 13 to approve his request for 10 Tahoes for $255,000 to begin replacing the Dodge Chargers the Sheriff’s Office has been using.

Cradduck said the Sheriff’s Office is hoping the Tahoes will hold up better in the sometimes rough conditions deputies encounter on county roads. He said it’s not uncommon for the Chargers to bottom out when traversing rough roads, damaging the underside of the vehicles.

At A Glance

Committee Action

Benton County’s Committee of 13 on Tuesday recommended approving:

• Authorizing the county judge to apply for the county’s Adult Drug Court grant

• Appropriating $9,000 in grant money for the Emergency Services Department

• Changing the Committee of 13’s name to the Committee of the Whole.

Source: Staff Report

“Hopefully these Tahoes will take more of a beating than the Chargers,” Cradduck said.

The justices of the peace authorized Cradduck to proceed with the purchase before approval by the Quorum Court, which will consider the request Jan. 24. Cradduck said information from the dealer states the county won’t receive the vehicles before the end of March.

The justices of the peace also approved requests from the Sheriff’s Office for a Chevrolet Impala to be used transport prisoners and a high-speed scanner for entering warrants and other paperwork. The Impala will cost $20,000 and the scanner $8,000.

A request from Circuit Judge Brad Karren for a “smart board” for use in the Division II courtroom was also approved and forwarded to the Quorum Court. Karren said the technology will reduce clutter and crowding in his courtroom. He said it will also allow the court to conduct some hearings with inmates still at the Benton County Jail, reducing prisoners brought to the courthouse for routine hearings. The board will cost $4,950.

Another court-related item was also endorsed Tuesday as they recommended approval to purchase an audio-video security intercom system for circuit judge offices for $25,000.

The justices of the peace also recommended approving an interlocal agreement to establish a Benton County Hazardous Material response system. The two-county system that provided hazardous material incident response for Benton and Washington counties was dissolved last year and the new agreement provides that municipalities with response capability will provide coverage to smaller cities and to the unincorporated areas.

The committee also recommended declaring a vacancy in the District 2 seat on the Quorum Court. Frank Winscott was elected to serve in the position but moved out of the district after the election.

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