by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
If you are one of those who wholeheartedly believes your tax dollars entitle you to lay claim to every police car and rescue vehicle on the road, every City desk and filing cabinet and computer, then May 19 you’ll get a chance to get your hands on what’s rightfully yours.
The City’s semiannual auction at its Surplus Property Facility on McDuff Avenue is an opportunity for the public to buy used police cars, rescue vehicles and just about anything else the City has purchased and used over the past several years. Jim Boyle, the City’s procurement services manager, and his staff organize the auction. In May, Boyle said there will be over 140 former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office cruisers for sale. However, they won’t look like cop cars much anymore. Per City rule, the police cars — like their rescue counterparts — will be stripped of City and JSO logos, all emergency equipment and anything else that would make them appear to be police cars.
“They have exhausted their life span,” said Boyle. “Over their 5-7 years, they have gotten 100,000 to 120,000 miles put on them. They will make good secondhand starter cars.
“The cars are well maintained, but there is no guarantee. They are sold as-is, but there is an inspection day in which the public can come look at the cars.”
Boyle said the auctions usually generate about half a million dollars each. That money, which is raised by selling $1,500 cars and $15 banged up filing cabinets, goes into the City’s general fund to purchase new many of the items sold at the auction.
“We’ll make $50,000 to $75,000 on just old desks and bent filing cabinets,” said Boyle, who has been involved in the auction for about 30 years. “Most of the money is in old police cars and trucks.”
Boyle said he expects between 400 and 600 people to attend the auction. Prior to the sale, the auction will be advertised in print publications and through flyers distributed all over town. A contracted auctioneer is hired to run the day-long sale and it’s up to the auctioneer’s discretion as to acceptable form of payment. If someone wants a car, they must make a $300 deposit in the form of cash, money order or cashier’s check and they have 24 hours to pay the balance. A check may be written in some instances.
“If it’s a major company that has been doing business with the City of Jacksonville, we let the auctioneer make that decision,” said Boyle. “Since they are accountable to us, it falls back on them.”
In addition to putting money into the general fund, Boyle said the auction is actually a fun event that draws all walks of life. There are regulars and first-timers and those seem willing to buy just about anything.
“It’s open to the general public, not just car and furniture dealers,” said Boyle. “You know that saying, ‘One man’s junk in another man’s treasure’? It is amazing what value some of the stuff has to people.
“We try to make it enjoyable for everyone and as easy as we can.”
356-2466