10/5/2009

Vehicle auction nets Clark County twice expected amount

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Charley Masco, Public Works Phone: (360) 397-2446

Vancouver, WA – A sluggish economy might have paid off for Clark County last week during an auction of nearly 50 cars, trucks, trailers and other equipment.

The auction, held Tuesday at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds, brought in $175,700. Out of that total, the auctioneer earned a $13,300 commission.

Charley Masco, Clark County Department of Public Works’ operations manager for fleet and facilities, expected the auction would bring in only half that amount.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” Masco said. “I think there’s a pent-up demand for cars, but people can’t afford a brand new car.”

Many of the vehicles are no longer needed because of staff downsizing in health, building and other areas of county government.

Several vehicles had relatively low miles. A 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, previously used by Clark County Public Health, had 21,183 miles and sold for $4,750.

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