North Little Rock Council approves purchase of 12 vehicles for police after cost correction

The North Little Rock City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the purchase of 12 vehicles from Veil Ford for the police department, after members amended the item to correct a miswritten total.

Mayor Hartwick read the resolution (R2606) and staff described the purchase as two separate purposes: a single already-upfitted vehicle and an 11-vehicle fleet. A staff representative said the upfitted unit includes cages and lights and is priced at $56,000, and that the 11 fleet vehicles are being bought at prices “well below state bid price.” Councilmember discussion focused on a numeric error in the agenda paperwork; a member moved to correct the listed total from “706,000” to $7,762,220.02 to reflect the full purchase and the $56,000 upfit.

Councilmember discussion also clarified the vehicle model: the new units are described as forward-responder trucks based on the F-150 platform rather than standard F-150 patrol cars. Councilmember questions about vehicle type and appearance were answered by staff, who said the units match the department’s current fleet and that the purchase represents a favorable price compared with state bid rates. As one staff member noted, the upfitted vehicle price is “considerably way, way, way below state bid price.”

After the amendment to correct the total was moved and seconded, the council voted on the amendment and then adopted the resolution as amended; all council members present voted yes. The ordinance authorizes payment to Veil Ford for the purchase to proceed as amended. The council did not allocate additional details about trade-ins or financing in the meeting record.

The resolution takes effect as adopted; implementation (vehicle delivery, upfit scheduling) will be handled by the police department and purchasing staff.