New Castle County says it brought in $400 thousand by selling surplus assets on online marketplace GovDeals last year.
The county has used the service since 2012, bringing in more than $4 million total in that time.
Earnings for police-seized vehicles go to the police officer’s pension fund, and all other revenue from sales goes into the county’s General Fund.
Acting Chief of Technology and Admin Services Jon Yearly said many products would be trashed or thrown in recycling unless the county tried to sell them.
“It's all about sustainability, without having to spend too much money on everybody's part,” Yearly said.
New Castle County’s largest deal was from a vacuum truck, which sold for just under $70 thousand. GovDeals holds virtual auctions for a wide variety of products – from aircraft to laptops to vehicles.
“Instead of spending, I don't know, the $8,000 or whatever it [costs] for a car, they could get it for three,” Yearly said. “So, if we could help somebody out that way while supplying the government and putting money back into our general fund, it's a win-win.”
Yearly said he expects fiscal year 2025 could net another $400 thousand to New Castle County through GovDeals.
“And we're helping the environment out by not just simply throwing it in the trash heap or landfill – it can be repurposed,” Yearly said.
