The Kokomo City Board of Public Works and Safety on Aug. 27 approved a package of personnel, procurement and project actions, including hires for the Kokomo Police Department, purchase of three unmarked vehicles, authorization to advertise for bids on several public-works projects, and an emergency demolition order for a fire-damaged house.

The approvals included the board accepting employment of three police officer candidates effective Sept. 1, 2025; awarding the purchase of three unmarked vehicles to Eric Chevrolet for $89,250; approving an expansion of the Security Pros LLC surveillance contract for Fire Station No. 6; authorizing an emergency demolition at 729 South Webster with bids due Sept. 24, 2025; approving advertisement of plans and specifications for the Ferris Center storm sewer extension; setting the bidding schedule for the Northside Interceptor Improvements Project; and approving a partial release of retainage to E and B Paving LLC for Sparks Road.

Why it matters: The actions move forward capital projects tied to Kokomo’s combined sewer overflow plan and local development, release substantial contractor payments, and authorize immediate public-safety work. Several items include multi-hundred-thousand-dollar payments or bid schedules that will shape construction activity this fall.

Votes at a glance (motions approved unless noted):
- Approve minutes of Aug. 20 meeting — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Hire Lainie Arms, Elijah Harris and Trenton Rawls to Kokomo Police Department, effective 09/01/2025 — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Purchase three unmarked vehicles (Eric Chevrolet) — award to Eric Chevrolet, $89,250 total; one abstention recorded (yes: 2, abstain: 1).
- Expand Security Pros LLC surveillance/access-control contract to include Fire Station No. 6 — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Emergency demolition of structure at 729 South Webster; advertise for demolition bids due 09/24/2025 — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Approve and authorize advertisement of plans/specifications for Ferris Center storm sewer extension; bids due 09/24/2025 — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Partial release of retainage for Sparks Road: release $415,132.60 plus accrued interest to E and B Paving LLC, retain $150,000 pending stabilization work and IDEM/MS4 sign-off — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Northside Interceptor Improvements Project: approve plans and bidding schedule (ads 09/05 and 09/12; pre-bid 09/16; bid opening 10/01/2025 at 10 a.m. ET) — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Conference Center application/payment No. 11: pay Hagerman $1,381,248.69; place $153,472.08 into retainage — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Pay Veritas Group invoice $10,787.20 — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Pay SMR invoice $6,240 for construction administration/engineering — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Accept sanitary sewer easement for 915 West Superior Street (Gregory and Elizabeth Morris property) — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Approve door (festival) application for Quick McDougall's one-day event at Foster Park on 09/20/2025 — outcome: approved (yes: 3).
- Approve claims in the amount of $1,488,440.68 — outcome: approved (yes: 3).

The board took the votes during a regularly scheduled meeting after presentations by department staff and project engineers. Several approvals were routine payment or advertising motions; the vehicle purchase recorded a single abstention that was noted on the record.