Logo courtesy Butte County Sheriff

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – Maintenance and repair work on more than 200 Butte County Sheriff's Office vehicles will be shared among five businesses in Oroville, Chico and Gridley under contracts approved Oct. 27 by the Board of Supervisors.

The five-year agreements include Gridley Country Ford, which was awarded a contract with a maximum value of $600,000.

Undersheriff Matthew Calkins cited the variety of makes and models used by the department.

“Contracting with multiple vendors is the most efficient and cost-effective method available to maintain our fleet,” Calkins said.

Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue said awarding contracts to dealerships in different communities demonstrated good faith by the county.

The supervisors unanimously approved agreements with Oro Dam Auto Center and Oroville Ford in Oroville, Wittmeier Inc. and Ed Wittmeier Ford in Chico, and Gridley Country Ford.

Oro Dam Auto Center received the largest contract, with a maximum value of $1.3 million. Each of the remaining four agreements has a spending limit of $600,000.

Together, the contracts authorize up to $3.7 million over five years, although the amounts represent spending limits rather than guaranteed payments.

Calkins said the Sheriff's Office solicited proposals in June and received six responses. Five businesses were selected to provide routine servicing and repairs.

Under the agreements, work includes oil changes, tire rotations, fluid checks and multipoint inspections. Mechanics will also inspect emergency lighting and siren equipment to ensure the vehicles remain operational.

The contracts provide for scheduled servicing every 5,000 miles or at intervals recommended by manufacturers. Additional repairs require authorization from the Sheriff's Office.

Gridley Country Ford's agreement also includes same-day preventive maintenance and arrangements for picking up and returning county vehicles when requested in advance. The contract anticipates servicing about 10 to 20 vehicles a month, including pickups, SUVs and vans. The dealership must use original manufacturer parts or approved alternatives and receive a vehicle repair request from the Sheriff's Office before beginning scheduled maintenance.

The businesses must provide secure overnight storage when needed and warranties covering parts and labor for two years without mileage restrictions.

Funding for the agreements is included in the Sheriff's Office budget, and no additional personnel are required, officials said.