MT. VERNON — Grant money from the state has indirectly allowed the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to purchase a new patrol vehicle.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard says that about $38,000 was appropriated to replace the boilers at the Justice Center in the last budget, but that project has been covered through a project from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Bullard then moved that money budgeted for the boiler to a new squad vehicle because he says it’s better to be replacing vehicles on a rotation in the long-run.

Bullard says his office is doing everything it can to save taxpayer money long-term, along with providing the best services they can to the residents of Jefferson County.