Replacing an SUV that was totaled in a November crash wound up costing the Park County government nearly $10,000 — even though the wreck was another driver’s fault.

The Park County Planning and Zoning Department’s 2009 Chevy Equinox was T-boned by a pickup truck at the intersection of Cody’s 16th Street and Salisbury Avenue on Nov. 18; the other driver was cited for failing to yield the right of way and the county’s vehicle was dubbed a total loss.

Ultimately, the county received $8,950 in insurance payments, but that fell far short of covering a replacement.

On Jan. 21, commissioners opted to buy a new 2020 Equinox LS for $23,194 from Denny Menholt in Cody. They opted to trade in a 2005 Chevy Tahoe to help soften the blow, but still wound up spending a net of $9,744 to buy the new vehicle.

Commissioner Lloyd Thiel voted against the purchase, preferring to save about $3,700 by purchasing a used 2018 Equinox with a little more than 47,100 miles.

Thiel said he thought the used vehicle would “be just fine” and noted the county is currently in a budget crunch.

“If you don’t have the money, you can look in all the nice windows and all the fancy stuff you want, but if you don’t have the money, you don’t have the money — and that’s where we’re at,” he said, adding, “I’m still going to be the frugal one here.”

However, other commissioners believed the warranties on the 2020 model made the added cost worth it. While the used Equinox had only about 13,000 miles left on its powertrain warranty, the new one comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

“To me, it’s money well spent,” Commission Chairman Joe Tilden said.

Added Commissioner Dossie Overfield, “Even though a new vehicle might not be necessary, used vehicles make me a little nervous — especially when they didn’t put any kind of [full coverage] warranty on it.”

Planning Director Joy Hill also noted the longer coverage with the new SUV, but “honestly, I’ll just be happy to have a vehicle for my department that is safe,” she said.

The Park County Clerk’s Office said it reached out to Denny Menholt, Fremont Motors of Cody and Powell, Yellowstone Motors, Whitlock Motors and Midway Auto Sales, but only Denny Menholt submitted bids on a replacement vehicle.