Irondale approves $671,480 purchase of 10 police interceptor vehicles to outfit officers and school resource officers

The Irondale City Council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of 10 2026 Ford police-interceptor utility all-wheel-drive vehicles from an approved vendor on the cooperative purchasing list at a total cost cited by the mayor of $671,480. The item was introduced late in the meeting and added to the consent agenda with council approval.

Mayor James C. Stewart Jr. said the purchases respond to an expanded police force and four recently added school resource officers who require vehicles. He told the council the city expects to pay cash for the vehicles and to surplus about 10 older units with an estimated combined resale value discussed during the meeting to offset a portion of the cost. Chief Kellogg, speaking briefly, told the council, "Just need them." The transcript records the mayor noting the vendor is on the approved co-op list and that the city had difficulty obtaining cruisers quickly, providing the rationale for acting on the item at the same meeting.

Council members asked whether resource officers' vehicles would be marked; one councilmember suggested distinguishing school resource officer vehicles so the public can identify them as assigned to schools. The mayor and chief agreed that outfitting and deployment would follow once vehicles arrive and are equipped.

The resolution was added to the consent agenda and approved by the council. The meeting record indicates unanimous voice approval for the consent agenda; no recorded votes against or abstentions were made on the vehicle purchase in open session.