Washington County Council authorizes command vehicle for sheriff's office

The Washington County Sheriff's Office will replace its mobile command vehicle next year with a new $1.1 million vehicle from LDV Custom Specialty Vehicles.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners last week approved a contract with the Burlington, Wisconsin, company. The contract, worth $1,076,140 over 24 months, will be funded by Public Safety Assistance ($850,000) and the county's 2024 Contingency Fund ($226,140), officials said County.

The sheriff's office's current mobile command vehicle was purchased in 2011 for $250,000 and is nearing the end of its service life, said Cmdr. Andy Ellickson of the sheriff's office. Public works staff say the vehicle needs to be replaced due to current and future mechanical failures related to the vehicle's age, he explained.

The new command center is an MT55 Freightliner, which is “much more reinforced” than the old one,” he said. “It has a hood that can be raised, which makes it easier to work with,” he said. “The one we currently have is a “cabin over camper” model. There is no hood, which makes maintenance difficult.

The mobile command vehicle is used by all public safety agencies in the county during small and large-scale events, including critical incidents, training and community events, Ellickson said.

The vehicle is expected to be completed and delivered in 12 to 18 months, he said.