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Orange Village confirms and swears in new police officer; council approves vehicle purchases and training software
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Summary
Orange Village Council confirmed and administered the oath to Michael Hounshell as a full‑time patrol officer. The council approved purchases of two Ford Interceptor Explorers and outfitting work, agreed to buy a Chevrolet Silverado to replace a previously ordered truck, and approved budget increases to buy Lexipol policy and training software and to accept an IT grant.
Michael Hounshell was confirmed and sworn in as a full‑time patrol officer for the Orange Village Police Department during the council meeting. The council moved and approved confirmation, and Hounshell recited the oath to support the U.S. and Ohio constitutions and to faithfully discharge his duties as an Orange Village patrol officer.
The police chief presented Hounshell's background: a lateral transfer with 13 years of full‑time policing experience, graduation from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy and prior service as a state trooper and Euclid police officer. "Members of council, I seek your confirmation for officer Mike Hounshell to become a full time member of the Orange Village Police Department," the chief stated during the introduction.
Council also voted to fund department equipment and vehicles. Members approved the purchase of two Ford Interceptor Explorers from Montrose Ford not to exceed $99,478 under a state bid and authorized Hall Public Safety to outfit those vehicles for up to $40,785. The chief said the department replaces two vehicles each year on a five‑year rotation, will declare outgoing units surplus and sell them, and noted a pending reimbursable grant may offset some of the costs if the award is finalized during the funding period.
Separately, the council authorized purchasing a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD from Tim Lally Chevrolet for up to $46,732. A staff member explained that a clerical error increased the previously approved Dodge truck price and that the Chevy was available for $2,233 less, prompting a vendor change to reduce cost.
The meeting also approved modest budget adjustments tied to these public‑safety needs. The administration sought and the council considered suspending rules to amend appropriations; Treasurer Dana said the Police Department budget would increase $11,203 to add Lexipol policy and training software. Councilmembers praised Lexipol's automated policy updates and daily training bulletins, noting the product supports continuing professional training credits. Dana also described an IT budget increase tied to a cybersecurity grant elsewhere on the agenda.
The council indicated these procurement and training steps support vehicle safety, officer training, and policy modernization. The items were approved by roll call during the meeting; staff will move forward with ordering, outfitting and the planned surplus process for replaced vehicles.
