The wheels on the bus go round and round…
LISA HOBBS - News Editor
Members of Warren County Legislative Body voted last night to suspend the rules to assist Warren County School System in the purchase of three new school buses at a discounted rate.
“Years and years ago, we owned our own buses and ran our own routes,” Commissioner Gary Prater said to County Executive Terry Bell. “I think you were on the county commission with me back then. We went to a meeting one night and thought we were going to stay in the bus business. The next day, we sold out and gave our buses away. Now, we are buying buses back.”
Bell replied, “You’re exactly correct.”
What sounded like discontent came after commission members unanimously voted to amend the docket to include a request from Warren County Schools to transfer $271,900 from the school’s fund balance into transportation equipment.
“I want everyone to understand that a budget amendment is supposed to go before two committees before it comes to the full county court, but this is a situation to where we could lose quite a bit of money if we don’t get it on the docket so we can vote on it tonight,” said Bell.
As explained by Commissioner Scott Rubley, following the proper channels and waiting to purchase the buses next month will cost an additional $11,000 per bus, because a purchase agreement obtained through Sourcewell will expire before the commission meets in August.
A second unanimous vote approved the budget transfer.
Warren County Schools ended its long-term contract with Durham School Services, as a result of a competitive bidding process required every five years for school transportation contracts. The winning bid came from Ecco Ride. That agreement started on July 1 and required complete replacement of the bus fleet at the county’s expense.
The transfer will assist in the purchase of three new buses, according to Finance Department Director Justin Cotten, “They already had $200,000 in the budget, So, we are moving additional funds so that we can purchase three buses for about $450,000 or $460,000.”
Absent from the meeting was Commissioner Steven Helton.
Pictured are new school buses previously purchased as they sat in the student parking area at Warren County High School.