Fremont County Engineer Dan Davis has returned the new Ford pickup truck he purchased after the county supervisors say he bought the truck without proper authorization.
Davis bought a new Ford F-150 July 8 for $30,950 to replace the 1999 Ford Explorer that he had been using for county business. Davis had been using the Explorer, which he said has engine and transmission problems, for the last 10 1/2 years.
During special meetings July 27 and 29, the board questioned why Davis purchased the truck without first coming to them for approval. Davis defended the truck purchase, saying that a new truck was included in his annual budget approved by the supervisors. Board Chairman Earl “Speck” Hendrickson said the budget included $30,000 for a new vehicle.
Davis said he was operating under a resolution passed in March of 2004 that stated that expenditures of $5,000 or more by any department had to be approved by supervisors only if not already approved in the budget hearing.
Davis’ attorney asked that the board get together with Davis and establish a clear rule as to what purchases require permission from the board.
Supervisor Chuck Larson said the board already requires purchases of more than $500 be approved. The board passed a motion to that effect in September of 2009. A new resolution has not been drafted.
Hendrickson said the truck purchase was the first time since he was elected to the board that a department head had not sought approval for a major vehicle purchase.
Davis said he was sorry for causing a problem.
“I apologize for causing this mess,” Davis said. “I’ve tried to represent the county as best I can. I’ve tried to represent the people fairly.”
Following the meetings, Davis told the Reporter that he may have been mistaken in not asking for approval for the truck, but that there needs to be more guidance as to what purchases require permission. He said tires and rock are common purchases that cost well over $5,000, but the board does not specially approve those purchases.
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Fremont County Engineer Dan Davis has returned the new Ford pickup truck he purchased after the county supervisors say he bought the truck without proper authorization.
Davis bought a new Ford F-150 July 8 for $30,950 to replace the 1999 Ford Explorer that he had been using for county business. Davis had been using the Explorer, which he said has engine and transmission problems, for the last 10 1/2 years.
During special meetings July 27 and 29, the board questioned why Davis purchased the truck without first coming to them for approval. Davis defended the truck purchase, saying that a new truck was included in his annual budget approved by the supervisors. Board Chairman Earl “Speck” Hendrickson said the budget included $30,000 for a new vehicle.
Davis said he was operating under a resolution passed in March of 2004 that stated that expenditures of $5,000 or more by any department had to be approved by supervisors only if not already approved in the budget hearing.
Davis’ attorney asked that the board get together with Davis and establish a clear rule as to what purchases require permission from the board.
Supervisor Chuck Larson said the board already requires purchases of more than $500 be approved. The board passed a motion to that effect in September of 2009. A new resolution has not been drafted.
Hendrickson said the truck purchase was the first time since he was elected to the board that a department head had not sought approval for a major vehicle purchase.
Davis said he was sorry for causing a problem.
“I apologize for causing this mess,” Davis said. “I’ve tried to represent the county as best I can. I’ve tried to represent the people fairly.”
Following the meetings, Davis told the Reporter that he may have been mistaken in not asking for approval for the truck, but that there needs to be more guidance as to what purchases require permission. He said tires and rock are common purchases that cost well over $5,000, but the board does not specially approve those purchases.
