County to get 30 new SUVs

By Terry Murry on Friday, November 12th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

UMATILLA COUNTY – The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners has approved purchasing 30 new four-wheel-drive SUVs with the Enterprise Fleet Management Program. The county will be turning in more than 30 used vehicles. Board Chairman George Murdock said the decision came on the recommendation of Chief Financial Officer Robert Pahl.

“Because used cars are so valuable right now, it made financial sense according to our CFO to make the purchase now,” Murdock said.

The county will be getting 15 2022 Ford Escapes and 15 2022 Jeep Compasses. None of those new vehicles are slated for Murdock who has announced he is retiring after this term.

“I have indicated that I am perfectly content to drive my current vehicle until I leave,” he said. “At that point in time, if there’s a decision to be made regarding a car for my position it will involve my successor.”