Rio Grande City approves purchase of six public-safety vehicles and a police equipment package

The Rio Grande City Commission approved awards and purchases on Nov. 19 to equip police and animal-control operations, including a low bid for six vehicles and a bundled equipment package that includes body armor, tasers, AR rifles and a drone.

Police Chief Jose Solis (Speaker 15) presented procurement details and recommended police-interceptor packages for patrol units. The low, responsive bid for six vehicles (five police interceptors and one animal-control unit) came from Payne (Weslaco) Motors at $266,680.50; commissioners voted to approve the low bid and to proceed with local vendors as appropriate.

Chief Solis also presented equipment requests. He said replacement body armor for the department would cost $36,008.61 and that a bundled package that included 12 ballistic vests, 13 tasers, 18 AR-style rifles with optics, one octocopter drone (12-mile radius) and less-lethal launchers would total $66,793.94. Solis told the commission some acquisitions can be leased to spread payments and that training and certification (for example, drone operation) are in place or planned.

Why it matters: The purchases are intended to ensure patrol readiness and officer safety; commissioners emphasized buying locally where possible to keep tax dollars in the community. Staff said most purchases are budgeted and that grant or lease options will be used where feasible.

Next steps: Staff will finalize contracts, proceed with local procurement where pricing and specifications meet requirements, and return with implementation timelines and any grant or lease paperwork as needed.