Sydney council approves used patrol vehicle and a used code-enforcement van from capital reserves

The City Council voted Nov. 13 to purchase a local used patrol vehicle and a used code-enforcement/animal-control van, funding the purchases from the city's capital equipment reserves.

Sam (presenter) told the council the police fleet endures high hours of idling and equipment demands that accelerate wear and tear; the department currently has nine vehicles, some with more than 120,000 miles, and reduced spare capacity when vehicles need maintenance. For the patrol vehicle he presented three options: a state-bid new Ford Expedition (~$48,000, 3–6 month delivery), a police-vendor new vehicle (~$58,000, one-stop outfitting) and a local used truck (~$44,800) available immediately. Sam said he would prefer the used vehicle to save money and get it into service quickly: “If it was up to me, I would say let's try to save the money and go the used route.”

Councilmember (speaker 6) moved to buy the local used patrol vehicle (option 3); the motion was seconded and passed by roll call (the clerk recorded three yes votes and two no votes during that roll call). Funding for the purchase is drawn from the capital equipment reserves established for such purchases.

Sam then outlined the code-enforcement/animal-control vehicle problem: the current 2007 Dodge Ram lacks climate control, secure storage and safe loading for animals; Sam proposed a transit-van design that lowers the floor for animals, permits bolted-in cages and improves occupant and animal safety. Staff proposed three procurement options similar to the patrol request: state bid, police vendor outfitter, and a local used van (about 17 miles, some hail damage on the roof). The council moved and approved the local used van (option 3) for the code-enforcement function; the clerk recorded “Motion passes 5.”

Both purchases were funded from the capital equipment reserves the council previously budgeted. Sam said in-session that some outfitting work can be done in-house and estimated modest upfitting costs for radios and cages; he also estimated about $5,000 in outfitting for the patrol vehicle in-house if mechanics are available. The council stressed that departments should continue to justify equipment needs and that staff follow the five-year reserve reporting process when possible.