To: Delrico J. Loyd, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Christopher R. Swanson, Sheriff
title
RE: Approval to accept a donation of a used International Utility Vehicle, formerly used as a hazmat truck, from NTS Corporation and Byers Wrecker Service, to be utilized by the Sheriff’s Office for a Dive Team Command Vehicle
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval to accept the donation of a used International Utility Vehicle from NTS Corporation and Byers Wrecker Service. This vehicle has been utilized as a Hazmat truck and will be converted into a command station for the Genesee County Sheriff’s office Dive team. An inspection on the vehicle has been completed by Cooks advising the vehicle is “fit to use on the road and in working condition.”
BACKGROUND:
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to safeguarding the lives, property, and rights of all residents and visitors within our jurisdiction. As part of our comprehensive public safety mandate, the Sheriff's Office maintains specialized units designed to respond to environments and emergencies beyond the scope of standard patrol operations including statutory obligations of the Sheriff’s Office regarding water safety. The Office of the Sheriff is uniquely positioned as a constitutionally mandated agency rooted deeply in common law and Michigan state statutory responsibilities that explicitly include patrolling the waters of the county's streams, lakes, and rivers. Under Michigan law (including statutory provisions such as MCL 51.301), the Sheriff holds primary responsibility for water safety enforcement and the recovery of drowned bodies, a historical continuation of community protection duties dating back centuries. Fulfilling these obligations requires specialized equipment capable of swift mobilization across diverse aquatic terrains. Genesee County features numerous lakes and waterways that experience heavy recreational traffic during the warmer months. To mitigate risk and ensure a safe environment for boaters, swimmers, and families: Summer Marine Division: During the peak summer months, marine patrol deputies and specialized personnel maintain a proactive presence on local waterways. Proactive Enforcement & Education: Marine deputies enforce state boating laws, conduct safety inspections, educate the public on water recreation rules, and deter dangerous or reckless operation. Rapid Emergency Response: The seasonal marine patrol works in tandem with our year-round emergency services to drastically cut down response times when accidents or distress calls occur on the water. Water emergencies and recovery operations demand specialized technical skill, rigorous certification, and advanced equipment: Around-the-Clock Readiness: The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team operates on a 24/7/365 on-call basis to handle water rescues, underwater recoveries, and evidence extraction. Every participating officer is a certified state diver. Southeast Dive Group Collaboration: Recognizing that water emergencies do not respect municipal or county boundaries, the Genesee County Dive Team maintains an active, collaborative partnership with the Southeast Dive Group. This regional alliance allows agencies to share specialized resources, specialized manpower, and cross-jurisdictional expertise during major search and recovery operations, maximizing efficiency and saving critical time when lives are on the line. Deploying certified divers, marine gear, sonar technology, and inter-agency personnel to remote or complex water rescue scenes requires a mobile command hub. Currently, the team faces logistical limitations with aging or undersized transport units. The acquisition of a larger, donated command vehicle will directly enhance operational readiness by providing: On-Scene Command Infrastructure: A dedicated, workspace for incident commanders to coordinate multi-agency operations, map search grids, and manage communications. Specialized Gear Storage: Secure, organized transport for heavy SCADA equipment, wetsuits, oxygen tanks, sonar systems, and rapid-deployment tools.
DISCUSSION:
None
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no impact on the General Fund Budget. Repainting of the vehicle will be completed as a donation and any additional cost will be funded from the Marine Patrol Safety Grant funded by the Michigan DNR from account # 1010-331.00-752.000 supplies other.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This request meets all of the County priorities as described, Fiscally Responsible Resource Management (Leveraging Donations): County boards heavily prioritize maximizing taxpayer value and minimizing capital outlay. Accepting a donated command vehicle upgrades critical public safety infrastructure without requiring a direct, major expenditure from the general fund. Public Safety and Livability: A core function of county government is ensuring a safe environment for residents and visitors. By supporting the 24/7 Dive Team and marine patrols, the county directly protects community members participating in water recreation, aligning with regional quality-of-life and livability goals. Intergovernmental Collaboration and Regional Partnerships: Modern county governance emphasizes shared services and regional efficiency. Highlighting the partnership with the Southeast Dive Group demonstrates active cross-jurisdictional cooperation, ensuring high-level emergency response capabilities without duplicating costs across neighboring municipalities. Tourism and Economic Protection: Genesee County’s lakes and waterways are key recreational assets that drive local tourism, hospitality, and seasonal economic activity. Ensuring safe waterways safeguards both the public and the local tourism economy.
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Office of Genesee County Sheriff to authorize accepting the donation of a 1988 International Utility Vehicle to be used as a command vehicle for the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, at no net cost to the general fund and any accompanied expenses to be covered by the Marine Patrol Safety Grant from the Michigan DNR account 1010-331.00-752.000, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the November 3, 2026 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the both Chairperson of this Board and the Sheriff, or their authorized designees, are hereby authorized to execute any necessary documentation, title transfers, or administrative agreements required to officially intake, register, and put the donated command vehicle into service on behalf of Genesee County.