Wayne County might have found a better way to rid itself of old, unwanted equipment.
The county’s fleet management committee used a vehicle as a trial for an online auction, rather than waiting for an annual in-person auction. Steve Higinbotham, the county’s director of facilities and development, reported April 3 the trial was a success.
The winning bid was $9,600 for the vehicle, while a similar vehicle brought just $5,700 during last year’s in-person auction. The online auction also had just a 5% commission for the auction company, compared to 10% for an in-person auction.
Commissioner Jeff Plasterer said during the April 3 meeting it makes sense to use online auctions for more equipment than just vehicles. Online auctions can begin at any time, and at that time, the county delivers the auction item to the auction company.
Waiting for the annual in-person auction, the county stores the unwanted items.
Commissioners actions
- A sheriff’s transport van will be purchased from Wetzel for $54,852. Commissioners unanimously approved spending an extra $670.38 to buy from the local dealer.
- Commissioners unanimously approved contracting with American Legal Publishing to update two ordinance books and provide online access to county ordinances. The books need updating with ordinances approved since July 2019 for $4,200. Future updates will be $1.95 per page. The online portion requires a $595 setup fee and an annual hosting fee of $495.
- The county will improve signage and the crosswalk across South Fifth Street to the Wayne County Administration Building. A county employee was recently struck by a vehicle crossing the street from a parking lot.
A version of this article appeared in the April 10 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.