Council advances supplemental capital requests for police vehicle and Metro Communications recorder to second reading

The Sioux Falls City Council voted Tuesday to send two supplemental capital appropriation requests to a June 3 second reading: acquisition and outfitting of a specialized police vehicle tied to a grant opportunity, and a $250,000 recorder for Metro Communications.

Finance Director Sean Pritchett told the council the vehicle purchase arose from an unforeseen grant opportunity received by the police department. He said the Metro Communications recorder is needed because the department discovered existing recording systems were “unstable and unreliable.” Pritchett said Metro Communications was brought under city administration last year and some needs were identified only after the transfer; funding for the recorder will come from the Metro Communications Fund.

Councilor Barranco asked for more information on the grant; Pritchett said he did not have the grant’s specific name and that police typically receive grants through programs such as JAG. The finance director and staff indicated Mike Gramlich of Metro Communications could answer technical questions about the recorder.

Councilor Sale moved to send the supplemental appropriations ordinance to second reading June 3; the motion passed 8-0. The council did not adopt appropriations at the meeting — the item was set for a later vote at second reading.