Newport approves purchase order for one Tesla Model Y for code enforcement

The Board of Commissioners voted to authorize the city manager to issue a purchase order for one Tesla Model Y to be assigned to the code enforcement department.

City staff presented the item as part of a broader effort to expand the city’s electric vehicle fleet and retire aging gasoline vehicles used by planning, development and code enforcement staff. Staff said the purchase is intended as a pilot for a non‑police department fleet use, and that the police department has earlier examined Tesla models for command staff uses. The vehicle was described at the meeting as a take‑home assigned vehicle for the employee in the code enforcement role.

City staff described a purchase cap “not to exceed” roughly $48,000 and said they would verify eligibility for federal incentives before final purchase. Commissioners and staff compared the Tesla’s total replacement and lifecycle costs with comparable gasoline vehicles and noted expected maintenance savings (for example, fewer brake jobs because of regenerative braking and no oil changes). Staff also said the city is working on charging infrastructure, including adding a charger in the municipal lot if needed.

Commissioners asked whether the vehicle would be assigned and take‑home (staff said yes), how replacement cruiser costs compare (staff estimated cruiser/Durango replacement in the mid‑$40,000s), and how EVs perform in cold weather (chief reported no operational problems). The motion to authorize the purchase order passed on roll call.

The board and staff said the approach is to pilot EVs, evaluate performance and charging needs, and proceed gradually rather than converting the fleet immediately.