Huron accepts $167,500 anonymous donation for new police marine patrol boat

Huron — The Huron City Council voted to accept an anonymous private donation of $167,500 to purchase a new marine patrol boat for the Huron Police Department and placed related supplemental appropriations on the record at its July 22 meeting.

The city manager moved to accept the donation on behalf of the City of Huron; council approved the motion by roll call. The donation will fund the purchase through Castaway Yacht Sales in Port Clinton. The city’s prepared resolution (No. 48-2025) authorizes the manager to enter into an agreement to buy the vessel for the Police Department in an amount not to exceed $167,500.

The donation covers a discounted purchase price the chief said is lower than the boat’s listed value. “I am so proud and honored and humbled to announce that an anonymous private donor has offered to purchase the Huron Police Department a brand new 2025 marine patrol boat,” Chief Grama said during his prepared remarks. He told council the donor “does not want to be identified or recognized,” and that the donation will not affect the department’s annual marine patrol grant, which pays for overtime, maintenance, fuel, storage and dockage.

Chief Grama said the department’s current boat is more than 26 years old and has experienced repeated engine problems this year. He told council he has researched new outboard motors but found none available through the state, and that new motors alone could cost up to $100,000 — an amount not included in the 2025 budget. He also said the new boat will be equipped with updated electronics and communications equipment.

Council and staff emphasized that the city will not spend the donated funds until the donation is received and properly accounted for. City Manager Hamilton said the donation “will not be expended until we have the donation in hand and has been properly accounted for.”

When asked whether the boat could enter service this season, Chief Grama said he hopes to have the vessel in service this year but that commissioning depends on equipment delivery and installation.

The supplemental appropriation ordinance introduced the same night (Ordinance 2025-17) includes $167,500 for the boat; the ordinance also included other budget items and was placed on its first reading. City staff said the boat will be taken out of service at the end of the season and eventually sold when the new vessel is operational.

Council thanked the donor during the meeting and moved the acceptance on the record. No identifying information about the donor was provided to the council or included in the public record.