THOMASVILLE — Dodge or Ford? That is the question.

Dodge patrol cars cost about $500 more, but Thomas County commissioners said they are wary of purchasing Fords after taking a beating on Ford ambulances.

The purchase of six Ford Crown Victorias on a state contract was on the agenda for a Tuesday commission meeting.

Commissioner Merrill Baker made a motion to purchase six Dodges. Commission Vice Chairman Moses Gross provided the second.

“Are they the cheapest?” Sheriff Carlton Powell asked commissioners. “According to my figures, they’re not the cheapest.”

If Dodges are purchased, also on a state contract, they will replace Crown Victorias.

Powell said was his understanding “quite a bit” of equipment would have to be purchased to outfit the Dodges.

He told commissioners that sheriff’s office personnel have been driving Ford Crown Victorias for 25 years.

Commissioner Louis Rehberg, pointing out that he had received conflicting reports, asked about fuel consumption of the two vehicles.

“I think the gas mileage is pretty comparable. It’s all in the way you drive,” responded Donnie Baggett, head of the county shop, which performs maintenance on county vehicles.

Commission Chairman Josh Herring told the sheriff the county took a “$50,000 to $60,000 beating” on Ford ambulances.

“We’re trying not to buy Fords if we can possibly do it,” the chairman explained.

Some $100,000 is budgeted for the purchase of four sheriff’s office vehicles. The other cars are to replace two vehicles wrecked — and totaled — in 2006. The replacements, which will cost about $65,000, are not budgeted.

Powell told commissioners he thinks the question should go to the finance committee for discussion.

Commissioner Mary Jo Beverly made a substitute motion to gather figures and put the matter before the finance committee. The motion calls for the finance committee to return to the full board with a recommendation.

Beverly’s motion was recognized by the chairman as a regular motion and received unanimous approval.



Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.