Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fleet topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DPS asks for funds to replace patrol fleet; seeks roughly 30 patrol vehicles
Summary
DPS told the committee it needs to replace aging patrol vehicles, requested roughly 30 new patrol cars (estimate to replace 29), and said only about 33 of the department's 149 vehicles are currently operational; planned purchases would use pending grant funds when available.
The Department of Public Safety told the House Ways and Means committee it needs to replace dozens of patrol vehicles and that many existing fleet vehicles are out of service.
Commissioner Anthony Amekronas and staff told the committee the department has a total fleet count they described as up to 149 vehicles but that only about 33 were currently running. DPS said many earlier-purchased vehicles lack local dealership support for repair and that the department seeks to replace primarily patrol and highway patrol vehicles. The department requested funds to replace roughly 29–30 patrol vehicles; cost estimates discussed in the hearing ranged from $40,000 to $50,000 per vehicle.
Committee members asked whether the planned purchases would be procured from local dealers; DPS said the vehicles would be purchased from a local dealership if funds become available. DPS said it expects to use the announced $3 million OIA allocation for fleet replacement if and when the grant documents and allocations are finalized and funds are received.
No vote was taken. Committee members asked DPS to provide an itemized fleet replacement plan and cost estimates to support appropriation decisions.
