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Anacortes council members press for clearer process after $15,000 police boat purchase; consent items approved
Summary
Councilmember Cleland McGrath said the $15,000 police boat purchase and the timing of notification raised policy concerns at the Aug. 4 Anacortes City Council meeting. Council removed an item from the consent agenda, discussed the purchase, and later approved consent items including the boat claim.
At the Anacortes City Council meeting on Aug. 4, 2025, Councilmember Cleland McGrath asked for a public discussion after she said the council first learned of a $15,000 police boat purchase via the approval of claims and not through a prior full‑council briefing.
“While it's a $15,000 boat, determined by the police chief and the mayor that this is something that is necessary … I have concern with the way the process was handled,” Councilmember Cleland McGrath said, noting she first learned of the consideration on July 7, that the boat was purchased July 8, and that a memo to full council did not go out until July 16.
McGrath said the item raised a policy question…
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