County vehicles are set for auction

BENTON COUNTY -- Benton County officials say the number of vehicles available at this year's surplus property auction should draw plenty of interest.

"We have probably twice as many vehicles to sell this year," said Terry Lewis, county property manager.

The auction is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Road Department yard, 1204 S.W. 14th St. The sale will feature vehicles from the Sheriff's Office and Road Department. Vehicles from the Assessor's Office, the fire service and from Rogers and Bella Vista will also be sold. Other items for sale include office furniture and partitions, chairs and cabinets.

Rob Holly, chief deputy with the Sheriff's Office, said the larger number of vehicles being offered for sale is a result of an increased emphasis on drug enforcement cases where vehicles and other property are seized.

"The money goes into the prosecutor's drug fund," Holly said.

The number of vehicles and cash seized by the office has increased in recent years, according to information compiled by detective Rick Keyes, crime analyst with the Sheriff's Office.

County Judge Bob Clinard said there are rules that govern county property and what is made available at the auction.

Items with no value can be disposed of through a county court order, he said.

"The Assessor's Office has to give it a zero value for us to just dispose of it," he said.

County employees and their family members are not allowed to bid on county property being offered at the auction, Clinard said. County employees can bid on items offered by the cities, he said.

A list of items for sale at the 2014 Benton County surplus auction is available on the county website at www.bentoncountyar.gov.

General News on 07/23/2014