La Porte's Board of Public Works and Safety made significant strides in enhancing the city's fleet management during their recent meeting on September 15, 2025. The board approved a plan to lease new vehicles for various departments, primarily focusing on police and fire services, with a total budget of $335,304.80 for the upcoming year.

Nick Dooley, who is assisting with the vehicle leasing strategy, presented a detailed plan for replacing aging vehicles. The proposal includes 23 police vehicles, 4 fire vehicles, 3 code enforcement vehicles, and 2 engineering vehicles. The board aims to order these vehicles directly from the factory to minimize costs and ensure timely delivery, aligning with the expiration of current leases in December 2025.

The decision to move forward with these leases is expected to save the city money compared to previous expenditures, with a goal of keeping annual vehicle and maintenance costs below $500,000. The board's approval allows for the immediate ordering of these vehicles, which are crucial for maintaining operational efficiency in public safety.

In addition to the vehicle leasing discussion, the meeting also highlighted updates from various departments. The engineering department reported that electric Ford F-150s are currently in quality control and should arrive soon. The water department announced the completion of water main installations on Park Street and warned residents about ongoing road closures due to infrastructure improvements related to a new well field.

These developments reflect La Porte's commitment to enhancing public safety and infrastructure, ensuring that the city remains well-equipped to serve its residents effectively.