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Clerk Can Trade In SUV For Upgrade

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By JULIA FERRANTE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2007

DADE CITY - With little discussion, Pasco County commissioners agreed this week to declare a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban surplus so Clerk of the Circuit Court Jed Pittman may trade it in for a newer, more comfortable model that fits his needs.

County Commissioner Michael Cox had questioned the move at a meeting last month but withdrew his objections when he found out the request was because of Pittman's health.

'What came to light is that it's because of a disability issue,' Cox said after a meeting Tuesday in Dade City.

Pittman bought a new work vehicle two years ago to replace an older Suburban, but he inadvertently chose a model that did not meet his needs, he has said. Pittman has driven the 2005 Suburban more than 54,000 miles since then, but he has not been comfortable. Diabetes, arthritis and his heavy stature make it difficult, he said, to get in and out of a standard passenger vehicle.

The estimated cost to buy a new Suburban is $37,000, minus $15,000 for the trade.

Commissioners asked their staff at last month's meeting to look into the possibility of selling the vehicle to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Col. Al Neinhuis, the undersheriff, told county officials the vehicle doesn't fit the department's needs, either, said Michael Nurrenbrock, the county's director of management and budget. Sheriff's vehicles usually feature special equipment.

Pittman attended Tuesday's meeting, sitting in a motorized scooter, which he said he sometimes has to use in his office to get around. Pittman said in a previous interview the Suburban LS, which he currently has, does not give him the back support the slightly more expensive LT model he intends to buy does.

The county commission does not have jurisdiction over purchase of the clerk's vehicle, which is paid for with fees collected by the clerk's office. The board does have the option to reimburse the clerk for the vehicle rather than declaring it surplus, which would prevent him from trading it in.

Commissioners had considered buying the vehicle from the clerk, but officials are phasing out Suburbans, which get between 15 and 21 miles per gallon, according to Chevrolet Web sites. The vehicle also is beige, not the standard county color, white, so it may not easily be absorbed into the county fleet.

Pittman has said his office uses the Suburban to get back and forth from meetings and to transport staff members, luggage and equipment to and from training.

The county makes concessions and provides special equipment for employees with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act when the requests are considered reasonable and affordable, Personnel Director Barbara De Simone has said.

Reporter Julia Ferrante can be reached at (813) 948-4220 or jferrante@tampatrib.com.

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