Murphy – Sheriff Dustin Smith hit a brick wall when he tried to get permission to buy an administrative vehicle for his department.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, on a 2-3 split vote, rejected Smith’s request at the April 15 meeting.
The sheriff’s office is short a number of vehicles, including a patrol car that was totaled during a collision in Marble several months ago. Smith said his office is “in desperate need of vehicles.”
The vehicle, a 2024 Ford Expedition up-fitted for law enforcement, had a listed price of $75,536 as the low bid from dealers in Murphy, Hayesville and Hendersonville. The vehicle would be used by his chief deputy, who doesn’t have an assigned vehicle at present.
Smith wanted to use proceeds from the Sheriff’s Designated Fund, an account replenished by proceeds from fees charged for things like concealed carry permits. The sheriff assumed that the funds could be used at his discretion, and that it would save taxpayers money.
“It’s the most responsible thing to do and pretty smart,” Smith said, because it uses proceeds from fees and not directly from taxpayers.
As soon as Smith’s request came up on the budget on April 15, Commissioner Dan Eichenbaum made a motion to delay any decision and bring it up in upcoming budget discussions.
There was confusion about whether the “designated” fund was a “discretionary” fund, with Smith and Commissioner Ben Adams under the impression that the funds could be used at the sheriff’s discretion.
“If it is at my discretion, I want the funds tonight,” Smith told the board.
Although the sheriff has his own budget, he still needs approval by the board of commissioners for major, un-budgeted expenditures and, according to chief financial officer Candy Anderson, use of Designated Fund proceeds is no different.
For discussion purposes, Eichenbaum withdrew his motion. Adams then made a motion to approve the purchase, which was seconded by board Chair Randy Phillips. Adams, a former emergency medical technician, and Phillips, a retired school resources officer, are typically sensitive to public safety issues.
Commissioners Jan Griggs and Cal Stiles both balked at the cost of the vehicle. Stiles put it bluntly, calling it “too expensive.”
Without board approval, the issue remains in play in upcoming budget meetings. Those meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the commissioner’s boardroom at the Cherokee County Courthouse on May 7, 15, 21, 23 and 29.