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With the increasing cost of gasoline and the increase in employee mileage costs, Sibley County’s Human Services Board, last week, approved purchasing an agency vehicle.

The board approved purchasing a Chevrolet Impala from Brau Motors at a cost of $22,071.

According to Stock, Human Services employees travel an estimated 35,129 miles annually. To pay employees the IRS-allowable mileage rate of $.585/mile, would cost $20,550/year.

It will cost Sibley County $45,819 in four years to own the vehicle. This includes fuel, insurance, oil changes, tires, and filing fee and tax. The four year savings would be $36,381, Stock said. Sibley County will break-even from the purchase in 19 months, she said.

Stock had also investigated leasing a vehicle for the agency. The county already has one leased vehicle. The cost to lease is $8,400/year or $700/month. In four years, it would cost $33,600 to lease, with gas over four years would cost $19,380.

The leased vehicles also require service at specific places. The closest service station for a leased vehicle is in Burnsville, Stock said.

Stock had priced three other vehicles – Pontiac Vibe, Ford Fusion, and Chevrolet Malibu. She recommended the Impala because it is flex fuel, safety features of being a full-sized car, On Star for one year, and automatic headlights, and additional rebates that are currently offered.