DeKalb County is readying for its version of an annual yard sale, the auction of hundreds of wrecked cop cars, high-mileage trucks and even random credenzas it no longer needs.
Like a neighborhood garage sale, the auction is expected to bring in extra cash. The money, though, is as outsized as the sale: Instead of a raking in a few hundred bucks, the county expects to make an estimated $1 million.
Though that is a pittance to DeKalb’s $540 million budget, some insist every dollar counts in this county, which recently raised taxes to help close a $37 million budget shortfall. Under a new policy adopted last year, all items will be sold, not donated to needy groups or other governments.
“You don’t turn down any way there is to make money,” said Larry Johnson, the County Commission’s presiding officer. "This way, we get to make money and can get items to anyone who needs equipment. It's a win-win."
No auction date has been set, but it's expected to be held by early October.
Anyone can bid on the items, including 270 vehicles, dozens of old computers and random clothes, gear and office equipment. All of the items are officially surplus, much of it obsolete or damaged. They range from small items such as old computer keyboards to dozens of wrecked police cars, still decked out in two-tone paint but many with deployed air bags.
But no matter how well used, it all means moolah.
Because all sales go back into the accounts of the department that used the old gear, DeKalb's Fire Rescue Department is counting on the proceeds from one of its castoffs to help pay for a new truck. A 1972 Ford pumper – still driveable and used for at least a decade at the fire training academy – is among the firetrucks to be auctioned.
“There’s a municipality that will buy that,” said Greg Brake, the county’s associate director of fleet management. “That will probably be in use in a very small town later this year.”
To that end, a small burg can benefit from snagging other gear on the cheap. And each town that saves that way also boosts the profits for DeKalb, even though the county pays auctioneers a 7 percent commission.
Sales of used autos alone have made the county more than $3.4 million over the past three years, according to records from Adesa, the Fairburn firm that handles the auto auctions.
Community groups and nonprofits are more likely to snap up the wobbly desks and chairs, which fetch far lower prices.
But would-be buyers, beware: the highest bid always wins and there are no minimums.
That means if no one else bids more than $5 for that ancient oxygen tank once used by firefighters or $500 for the sweeper cart that park workers ran to clean tennis courts, they’re yours.
“Some of this is at a ridiculously low price, but that just comes with the territory,” said Joe Arrington, a longtime county resident who applauded the auction. “The county needs as much money as it can raise.”
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