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Council authorizes staff to seek financing for police vehicles after chief outlines fleet shortfall
Summary
Police Chief Sanders presented quotes showing the last fleet cost ~$455,000 and a current proposal of about $660,000 (excluding finance charges); council voted 5–0 to allow staff to seek financing and scheduled a special meeting to review financing options.
Police Chief Sanders told the council the department is operating with a reduced fleet and asked for council help to obtain replacement vehicles and outfitting. Chief Sanders said state-contract pricing produced a vehicle quote and separate outfitting quotes; he said the last fleet procurement totaled $455,000, while the current purchase and outfitting total roughly $660,000, excluding finance charges.
“What's the cost of being unprepared?” Chief Sanders asked as he urged the council to consider financing options to restore frontline vehicle capacity. The chief said four officers recently graduated from the academy and the department needs safe, reliable vehicles to deploy them.
Council discussed alternatives — purchasing fewer vehicles, considering motorcycles, or exploring financing packages — and asked the chief and finance staff to produce financing proposals. The council then voted to authorize staff to seek financing for the police vehicles as a package; the motion passed on roll call (five yes votes). Members scheduled a special meeting the following Tuesday to review financing numbers and options.
Council noted the outfitting timeline (60–90 days) and that some equipment (computers) is already covered by a grant; the chief said some raised funds earmarked for a K-9 program have been received but must be appropriated by council before spending.
