ST. MARYS — Elk County Conservation District officials are currently looking to purchase a district vehicle to help employees travel to project areas within the county.

Elk County Conservation District Manager Steve Putt said during Monday’s meeting that the district has been considering the purchase of a vehicle for several years but approved a purchase in August.

The district’s board approved a vehicle purchase for up to $25,000.

Putt said on Monday that he has started to look for vehicles at dealerships within the state’s COSTARS program.

With this program, the district could purchase a vehicle without going through a bidding process.

Putt said that he did get a quote for a Jeep Patriot for around $23,000.

The vehicle would get around 23 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

Putt said he does not think there will be any issues getting a four-wheel drive vehicle within the $25,000 budget set by the district’s board.

A four-wheel drive vehicle would allow district officials to get to difficult project locations in areas with difficult terrain.

However, Putt said that he wanted to look at other vehicles such as a Ford F-150 and a Ford Explorer.

District board chairman Russ Braun added the district will need a vehicle with a lot of cargo space to haul equipment.

Braun said the board could reconsider the funding amount based upon the vehicles that are available and would fulfill the district’s needs.