Finance committee approves TPD budget revision to spend auction, insurance proceeds on equipment

The Tuscaloosa City finance committee on a voice vote approved General Fund budget revision number 8, clearing the way for the Tuscaloosa Police Department (TPD) to use auction proceeds and insurance recoveries to replace and buy equipment.

Miss Standridge, who presented the revision to the committee, told members the request comes in two parts: the first would use military-surplus auction proceeds that must be used only for law enforcement purposes; the second would use insurance proceeds to replace equipment damaged in an incident. "What they're asking for right now is a $170,305 to be applied to the very long list of equipment acquisition that is on the budget revision itself in your packet," she said, and confirmed that the insurance portion is $63,000.

Chief Sanders, speaking for TPD, described several items on the purchase list, including a Polaris Ranger to transport a K-9 handler at special events, motorcycle helmet badges for the traffic division (19 badges) and training for a forensics examiner identified in the meeting as Stewart Coffee. "We're requesting to get, like you said, a $170,304.61," Chief Sanders said when asked about the auction proceeds figure.

Committee members asked for clarification on quantities and uses before a member moved approval and another seconded it. The chair called for ayes and the item was approved by voice vote; the meeting record does not include an exact roll-call tally.

The approved change authorizes TPD to spend the restricted auction funds and the insurance proceeds on the line-item purchases listed in the budget packet. The committee did not specify a timetable for purchase and noted smaller accounting steps will follow when the project or equipment orders are processed.