Door County Sheriff Tammy Sternard and Chief Deputy Patrick McCarty presented to the Public Safety Committee on its 2021 budget. They sought approval to purchase two new vehicles, detailing bids from Jim Olson Ford of Sturgeon Bay and Ewald Ford of Hartford. Jim Olson provided only information for a Ford Interceptor and Ford Interceptor Hybrid. Ewald submitted quotes for a Dodge Durango and a Chevrolet Tahoe as well.
McCarty said he was pleased with the numbers, as both dealerships made proposals below the cost for Interceptors purchased last year. Ewald's bid was slightly below that of Jim Olson Motors, $32,578 versus $32,950. Delivery from Ewald was factored into the price. Still, it is the policy of the committee and the sheriff's department that bids have to differ by at least three percent to justify opting for a dealership that is not local. Chair Joel Gunnlaugsson cited precedent at Tuesday's meeting.
The committee expressed interest in potentially buying a hybrid vehicle, but eventually decided against it due to potential performance concerns. McCarty says he sought advice from other departments, who already had hybrids in their fleet. He said he got few responses to his inquiries, but those he received noted problems switching between the electric drive train and gasoline engine. Given the department's intent to use the cars as pursuit vehicles, it was determined that a hybrid purchase should be delayed until there is more information available.