MANSFIELD — Richland County commissioners on Thursday approved a vehicle replacement for the coroner’s office and denied the prosecutor’s office request for an additional car.
Commissioners met with Coroner’s Office Chief Investigator Bob Ball and administrative assistant Randi Ritchie, who asked for $22,980 to purchase a 2019 Jeep Compass with 4-wheel drive.
It will replace a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan with 101,000 miles that is in need of $3,500 to $5,000 in repairs, primarily to fix a slipping transmission and a malfunctioning door.
The coroner’s office has two vehicles, both of which are used by the department’s two investigators, according to Ball, who said coroner Dr. Daniel Burwell doesn’t have a publicly provided car.
The other department vehicle is also a four-wheel drive Jeep Compass.
Ball said he and fellow investigator Tom Stortz alternate being “on-call” on a weekly basis and average seven or eight “after-hours” calls each week.
“You certainly have the need,” Commissioner Tony Vero said, citing a rising number of suicides and opioid deaths. “You guys are constantly being called out all hours of the day and night. We realize the importance of a vehicle for you guys.”
County Administrator Andrew Keller said he believed the purchase could be made through American Rescue Plan Act funds and would work with Ball and Ritchie on the issue.
Commissioners chose not to act on the written request from Richland County Prosecutor Gary Bishop, who asked commissioners for approval to purchase a fourth vehicle for his department, a 2019 Ford EcoSport for about $22,000.
In his letter, Bishop said his office was adding a new investigator in June and the additional vehicle would be needed. The prosecutor said he would make the purchase using funds from his annual “Furtherance of Justice” allotment.
“Our currently operated vehicles are used by myself (2018 Fusion), our Victim Advocates and current Investigator, and by the Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys (2014 Escape and 2014 Equinox),” Bishop wrote.
Prosecutor request for vehicle
Commissioner Darrell Banks said the prosecutor told him that he drives the Fusion home at night so it’s available if he is called out on an investigation. He said the three county commissioners all drive their own personal vehicles.
“I don’t see the need for a fourth car,” Banks said. “If Mr. Bishop wants to come over and explain further why we should purchase another car … I am not going to make a motion to approve this at this time.”
Commissioner Cliff Mears questioned how often the prosecutor is called out after hours. “I don’t think it happens that often. If he was here, I would ask him,” Mears said.
Vero said he had researched in other counties, including Ashland, Wayne, Fairfield and Morrow, and found none of those counties provided take-home vehicles for the prosecutor.
“He is welcome to come in and explain it. I’m not making the motion,” Vero said.
