City Surplus Auction
Constitution-Tribune
April 13, 2012

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

CAPTION: The City of Chillicothe held a sale of surplus items yesterday (Thursday, April 12), within the Mervyn Jenkins Expo Center, on the grounds of the Litton Ag Campus. The sale, which cleared space for the city's storage facilities, raised over $30,000 from over 100 buyers. The sale is said to have attracted at least 400 persons.

Chillicothe's surplus property auction Thursday brought in over $30,000 that will be put into the city's general revenue fund. The sale was held at the Mervyn Jenkins Expo Center and attracted around 400 people and well over 100 buyers. Up for sale were hundreds of items no longer needed or wanted by the city. Items included vehicles, mowers, lawn equipment, office equipment, bicycles, fire department gear, and much more. The equipment came from all city departments, including City Hall, fire and police departments, and the parks and street departments.

City Administrator Ike Holland said he was pleased with the day's dollar amount and with the fact that the city was freeing itself of items that were simply taking up space. "The sale went well, considering all the stuff we sold was either not used, or was unusable," he said. "It definitely brought money into our revenue. This is revenue you don't normally county on, but it is revenue that will help our general fund."

Among the bigger ticket items were a dump truck and a back hoe, stated Street Commissioner Barry Arthur, who helped put the sale together. Also in the auction were around 45 bicycles which sold for around $700 altogether. The bicycles sold for as little as $5, and much as $90. Several sold for between $50 and $60, according to auctioneer Mike Miller.

Representatives from other government subdivisions were present, looking far bargains, including the city of Meadville, which purchased some storm sirens, and smaller fire departments, which purchased items such as ladders and firefighting suits.

The sale began at 9 a.m., and was over before 1 p.m. Holland stated that the city will consider having sales annually and will pursue having sales with the school district and county, which may also need to sell surplus property.

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

CAPTION: Many individuals in hopes of catching a bargain were at the Mervyn Jenkins Expo Center today where the city of Chillicothe had put up for sale hundreds of items no longer needed or wanted by the city. Items included vehicles, mowers, lawn equipment, office equipment, bicycles, fire department gear, and much more. As of 10 a.m., there were 128 registered bidders. City Administrator Ike Holland said the sale not only helps free storage area, but also generates city revenue. The auction began at 9 a.m. with auctioneer Mike Miller. Sale by Mike Miller Auction Service...