Osage Beach approves purchase of three police interceptor SUVs after budget amendment; board debates timing, insurance and vehicle type

The Osage Beach Board of Aldermen voted March 6 to authorize the purchase of three 2025 Ford Interceptor Utility vehicles and to move forward with a related budget amendment after a detailed discussion about insurance settlement proceeds, vehicle costs and procurement timing.

Why it matters: The action replaces patrol vehicles — including at least one totaled in a January crash — and affects the police fleet budget, insurance revenue accounting and ordering timelines that can be sensitive to manufacturer order windows.

What the board approved: The board passed a resolution authorizing an amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget for the purchase of police vehicles and approved a motion to buy three 2025 Ford Interceptor Utility vehicles under the state contract identified in the meeting (state of Missouri contract number CC240138008) for a price not to exceed $151,000.

Costs, insurance and funding: Police Chief Todd Davis told the board the replacement vehicles’ base price (without equipment) is about $50,000 each, while outfitting costs (lights, cages, push bumpers, radios and other equipment) add roughly $15,000–$20,000 per vehicle; Chief Davis said that outfitting from older vehicles generally will not fit 2025 models and must be purchased new. He said the department will receive an insurance settlement of $22,008.92 for the vehicle lost in January and that $2,217.50 was used from the budget line to set up the replacement vehicle, leaving the department requesting a total budget amendment of $212,500 to cover three vehicles and equipment.

“I'd say we need to replace these vehicles now to get them — I'm probably still looking at a 90 to a 120 day delivery time,” Chief Davis said, explaining the risk of delaying while awaiting financing options from Columbia Capital.

Board debate and timing: Several aldermen asked whether the city should delay ordering to await a financing decision from Columbia Capital or investigate alternative vehicle types such as F-150 trucks, which some members said may hold resale value better. Alderman Hoffman and others urged the city not to wait because the Ford order window may close and delay replacement into next year; Alderman Ross said the board could explore F-150s later but favored proceeding now to avoid losing lead time.

City Attorney Cole Bradbury and staff clarified the process: the resolution provides legal justification for a budget amendment; the budget amendment itself was on first reading and will require a second reading. Bradbury explained passing the resolution does not lock the board into an SUV purchase and that the board could table or amend later if it chose to pursue different vehicles. Several aldermen said they wanted Chief Davis to continue to investigate alternatives and pricing while allowing staff to proceed with the steps needed to place orders once approvals are complete.

Outcome: The resolution authorizing the budget amendment and the motion to purchase three Ford Interceptor Utility vehicles were approved at the meeting. The motion to purchase was passed by the board with no recorded opposition; staff may proceed with ordering consistent with the contract and the subsequent final budget action.

What was not resolved: Aldermen pressed for follow-up information on how the insurance settlement was calculated (depreciation), what exact outfitting costs would be, and whether a future board could alter vehicle type for later purchases. Chief Davis and others said the city expects to present revenue and expense details when the insurance check arrives and that any change to vehicle procurement policy would return to the board for consideration.

Votes and next steps: The budget amendment and purchase motion passed; the board will consider the ordinance’s second reading at the next meeting and staff will pursue ordering procedures and continue to evaluate vehicle type and financing options.