Council reviews police technology, vehicle, equipment purchases; budget revision and DRE grant presented

The Huntington City Council reviewed several resolutions and procurement requests affecting the police department, a general fund budget revision, a state training grant request, and a board appointment during its meeting.

Chief Watkins, representing the Huntington Police Department, asked the council to authorize purchases of technology and equipment funded from the BGA FY '24 Burn Discretionary Grants Program and other sources. For laptops, Watkins said the purchasing division received two bids and recommended contracting with Dell Technologies of Round Rock, Texas, for 35 rugged 14-inch laptops at $74,906.30; Coquina Labs of New York submitted an alternate bid of $75,007.19. Watkins said the laptops are part of a technology modernization project to replace outdated cruiser computers.

On a separate request for telecommunications upgrades, Watkins said the department recommended contracting with Security Consultants and Solutions of Flatwoods, Kentucky, for purchase and installation of upgraded telecommunication equipment at a listed amount of $59,803.50 (bid listed as the only responsive bid). Watkins said the purchase would include displays, mounts, webcams, sound bars and related equipment to modernize meeting and training technology.

The council also considered a vehicle purchase presented to the council by the chief identified as Chief Hawkins. The request was to contract with Stevens Auto Group of Danville, West Virginia, for a 2024-or-newer Dodge Ram 1500 at $45,612; the purchase would be funded from the BGA FY '24 Burn Discretionary Grants Program and intended to support the crisis intervention team by transporting individuals in crisis and their belongings.

For the SWAT team, a procurement request recommended contracting with Galls of Lexington, Kentucky, for body armor and helmets at $92,649.20. Watkins said the purchasing division received two responsive bids that met specifications; Galls was the successful bidder and funds will come from the city—s state forfeiture account.

Scott Arthur, the city's senior accountant, presented Resolution 2025-R-33, the second general fund budget revision for fiscal year 2024–25. Arthur said state government grant revenues will increase by $130,124 for previously approved Commission on Drunk Driving Prevention (CDDP) grants. He said insurance program expenditures will increase by $500,000 for higher group medical claims and that the contingency line item will be decreased by $500,000 to offset those costs.

Go Evans, the traffic safety director, presented Resolution 2025-R-38, a grant application to the Commission on Drunk Driving Prevention for the West Virginia Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program in the amount noted in the packet. Evans said the funding would offset training costs for an annual magistrate court training in June, where approximately 100 magistrates are expected and at least 20 DRE officers will attend; the grant is reimbursable and requires no local match. Evans said the item was fast-tracked because the filing period ends in May and paperwork must be completed by June.

Council also heard a resolution to appoint Gregory B. Thompson to the Huntington Municipal Parking Board (Resolution 2025-R-27); a committee report was noted as pending. Another agenda item (item 9) was sent back to the administration for further work and details.

The transcript records presentations and procurement recommendations but does not record formal motions or roll-call votes for these items in the provided excerpt.