Pacific County is purchasing a 2023 Chevrolet 5500 work truck for $186,231 for use by the Department of Public Works.

SOUTH BEND — Big spending was the theme at November’s last Pacific County Commission meeting. The purchases will bring new vehicles to the county’s public works department and new laptops to the sheriff’s office.

Outside the purchases, the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency made some big moves to address hot and cold weather snaps. The agency was criticized last winter about a lack of access to warming shelters following cold weather snaps that snuck into the area.

Big money

Amongst the purchases that were approved for public works are two 2024 Chevrolet 4WD Crew cab Silverados for a total of $100,144.80 from Bud Clary Chevrolet, as well as a 2023 Chevrolet 5500 Mechanics Body work truck for $186,231.68 from Future Chevrolet.

Another big purchase for the agency was a 2023 Chevrolet 5500 regular-cab 4WD truck with a Monroe Dump Body, a snow plow with lights, and a salt spreader with a stand. It is also being purchased from Bud Clary for a total of $130,642.28.

Altogether, the agency spent a whopping $417,018.76 on the four work trucks. Two 2020 Chevrolet 5500s are being turned over to the road crew as part of the deal. The trucks will help boost the fleet and have towing ability, allowing the fleet more use.

The sheriff’s office also spent a nice chunk of change after commissioners approved the agency’s request to spend $38,400 on 15 Dell Mobile Data Computers, which are used for patrol laptops.

Emergency management

Pacific County, like the rest of the Pacific Northwest, is prone to just about every weather phenomenon, including rain, wind, hail, snow, heatwaves, and cold snaps. The agency was able to transfer some much-needed equipment from other agencies and also spent funds preparing for severe weather.

The agency is receiving a 2021 Interstate Victory Cargo Trailer from the Pacific County Public Health and Human Services Department. The trailer was purchased in 2021 for use during covid-19 vaccine clinics and has been rarely used since the clinics stopped. PCEMA has agreed to let the health department use it as needed.

The trailer was on a list of surplus equipment, and PCEMA Director Scott McDougall jumped at the chance to put it to good use. The agency will pay any relative fees associated with the transfer. The commissioners called the move a “good collaborative effort.” The agency is also snagging a WEN 3,800-watt portable generator for severe weather use.

“This is just a continuation of the cooperative relationship we have with the health department,” McDougall said. “We are really thankful for this and really thankful for the work Jenny [Penoyar] has done to bring this about.”

Transfers were not the only significant developments for PCEMA. McDougall also asked the commission to approve spending $9,130 plus tax on 40 standard cots, ten heavy-duty cots, 100 cotton blankets, and machine-washable pillows out of the Extreme Weather Shelter Grant.

The commission unanimously approved all of the agency’s requests.