Item:
Title
Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC069 Appropriating $125,492 in Restricted Fund General Fund Fund Balance to Increase Expenditure Authority for the Sheriff’s Office and Approval of Contract with Trailers of the East Cost in the Amount of $208,000 for the Sheriff’s Office Hazardous Device Unit Response Trailer, IFB 26-016
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: March 9, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve Budget Ordinance No.26BCC069 appropriating $125,492 in Restricted Fund General Fund Fund Balance to increase expenditure authority for the Sheriff’s Office and to authorize the County Manager to execute a Purchase of Goods contract with Trailers of the East Cost in the amount of $208,000.00 for the Sheriff’s Office Hazardous Device Unit Response Trailer. On October 31, 2025, an Invitation for Bids was published with an Initial Bid Opening Date of November 20, 2025. A Bid Addendum was issued extending the Bid Opening Date to December 9, 2025. Three bids were received. Trailers of the East Cost Funding was chosen as their bid demonstrated a clear understanding of the HDU’s operational needs, including the use of superior quality products and its trailer design would provide flexibility of use in a variety of situations and weather conditions. Trailers of the East Coast was also the lowest qualified bidder.
This project will replace the 21-year old, 2005 Freightliner bomb response truck with a 2025 ATC 28-foot customize bomb response trailer. The bomb response trailer will be fully outfitted and mission-ready designed to support explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations. Engineered for public safety and rapid deployment, the bomb response trailer will include workstations, integrated communications and power systems and storage for specialized equipment.
Recent supply chain issues have impacted the cost of materials. In particular, over the past week, the cost of aluminum has increased by $1.00 per pound increasing the project cost by $15,000. The bid amount was $193,000. The project cost has increased by $15,000 to $208,000.
This project will be funded by, previously budgeted in FY 2025-26, 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant ($82,508.50) and this BOCC action appropriating Restricted fund balance of Federal Asset Forfeiture funds ($125,492). Federal Forfeiture funds are legally restricted and cannot be spent directly from the reserve account. In order for these funds to be used for the purchase of the bomb trailer, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) must formally approve the transfer of the restricted forfeiture funds into the Sheriff’s Office operating budget. This approval is required before the funds become available for expenditure and ensures compliance with federal asset-forfeiture regulations and county financial policy.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This request aligns with the County’s Strategic Plan Goal 3: Safe Community
Resource Persons: David LaBarre, Director of Planning & Development, Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Lieutenant John Hamlett, Durham County Sheriff’s Office HDU Lead, Keisha Gaither, Durham County Sheriff’s Office Finance Manager.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.BCC069 appropriating $125,492 in Restricted Fund General Fund Fund Balance to increase expenditure authority for the Sheriff’s office, and authorize the County Manager to execute a Purchase of Goods contract for the Sheriff’s Office HDU Response Trailer in the amount of $208,000.00.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________