Council approves purchase of four pursuit vehicles; asks for detailed upfit breakdown at next meeting
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Summary
Council authorized purchase of three 2026 Chevrolet Silverados and one 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe for police use and asked staff to return with an itemized upfitting list before finalizing total costs.
The Weatherford City Council approved the purchase of four law-enforcement vehicles — three 2026 Chevrolet Silverados and one 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe — while directing police staff to provide a detailed, itemized list of upfits and accessories at the next council meeting. The agenda item authorized use of the interlocal purchasing cooperative (TIPS) and listed a not-to-exceed total of $483,666.60 for vehicles plus upfitting, with staff explaining that a substantial portion of the total reflects outfitting costs rather than base vehicle prices.
Police leaders told council the department is testing pickups in the fleet for functions traditionally filled by Tahoes and that upfitting choices differ by vehicle type. Lieutenant Hopkins has prepared an itemized Excel worksheet that will break down lighting, cages, secure bed storage for pickups, and specialized equipment for a K-9 vehicle. Staff said the dealership will act as a one-stop provider, buying vehicles and handling upfits to shorten lead times compared with contracting separately with an upfitter.
Council members asked for greater transparency. One councilmember noted the packet showed about $218,000 for vehicle purchase, leaving roughly $260,000 to cover upfits and equipment; the council requested a line-item breakout of that amount. Police staff agreed to bring an itemized upfit list to the next meeting; councilmember Heidi Wilder moved approval with that follow-up, and the motion carried.
Staff also discussed lead-time improvements: if a purchase order is placed before Oct. 1, staff said pickups could be delivered in as little as 60 days; Tahoes remain the most in-demand law-enforcement chassis and are likely to arrive in the first quarter of next year. Staff described plans to reuse current Tahoes in the fleet as sergeants’ vehicles and to repurpose other vehicles down the chain once the new units arrive.
The council’s vote authorizes the purchase now and requires staff to return with the detailed upfit list at the next council meeting for final transparency to council and the public.
