Durham County Commissioners reluctantly approved purchases for new county vehicles Monday night. Earlier, they differed awarding contracts for nearly $1 million worth of cars and SUVs, but later learned there would be price increases if they waited after Feb. 13.

So, instead, the county will award contracts for buying vehicles for the Sheriff's Department. Requests for the General Services and Social Services Departments are still on hold for at least another two weeks so the county manager can research whether agencies truly need new vehicles in the current economic climate.

"In these times - when we're cutting all over the place - we have to do a little cutting ourselves when we can reuse some of these vehicles," said Commissioner Becky Heron.

Late in the evening, County Manager Mike Ruffin told commissioners he learned there would be $2,000 price increases if the county waited after Feb. 13 to make the purchases:

-$654,253 from University Ford, Inc.
-$194,846 from Bobby Murray Chevrolet
-$60,078 from Hendrick Durham Auto Mall

Commissioners went forward with the bids for the Sheriff's Office vehicles, which amount to 21 Crown Vics at $22,569 each; four 4-wheel drive sports utility Ford Explorers $25,288 each; and one Chevy Express van at $17,240. Warrant Control Squad budgeted monies will purchase four of the Crown Vics.

The entire list included 43 vehicles that would have gone to the Sheriff's Office, General Services Department and the Social Services Department. The Social Services Department bid for two all-wheel drive Chevy Equinox vehicles.

"What we were considering was in severe weather - we would have to transport children," said Toni Pedroza of Social Services. "We have some vehicles that have exceeded the mileage necessary to replace."

But, in a time when the county is facing a $14 million deficit, commissioners were hesitant to approve the requests.

"I think in the current environment my question is whether we should be expanding the fleet," said Commissioner Ellen Reckhow. "I just want us to be very careful with our purchases."

Commissioner Heron asked why the county doesn't put older Sheriff's vehicles into use elsewhere.

"There are a lot of good miles left on those cars. I have not understood yet why those cars couldn't go into use for other departments," Heron said. "I've got one car at my house that's got 130,000 miles on it and I'm still running it."