El Mirage council authorizes budget‑transfer authority, approves $92,320 police truck after insurance discussion

The El Mirage City Council on May 19 approved two finance items and a police‑fleet purchase after extended questions from council members about transparency and insurance recovery.

Finance director Robert Wedegin explained a proposed authorization that would allow staff to make limited year‑end transfers between departmental budgets to ensure the city’s financial statements comply with state law. Wedegin said transfers are typically intra‑general‑fund and intended to let staff finalize audited statements on schedule; he told the council that any transfers above the city’s $30,000 threshold for expenditures would still require council approval and that the finance department will report any adjustments. Multiple council members, including Councilmember Aldridge, pressed for clearer documentation of what funds would be moved and asked that carry‑forward project details be included in future agenda packets. The council approved the authorization to permit year‑end transfers (the motion passed with recorded support from a majority; the tally on the record was five ayes and two nays).

On a related item the council authorized carry‑forward adjustments for FY26–27 for capital projects, grant funds and special projects, again after members requested more detail about the specific projects to be carried forward.

The council then considered purchase of a replacement 2026 Ford F‑150 for the police department at a not‑to‑exceed cost of $92,320.52 using contingency funds. The police chief said the department’s 2021 Chevrolet Silverado patrol vehicle (vehicle 6,574) was totaled in a January 24, 2026 crash in Surprise; the risk pool’s actual cash‑value payout was $26,878.74 (reporting a subtotal figure of $29,378.74 before the department’s $2,500 deductible). The chief said the department is salvaging usable equipment where possible and that some aftermarket equipment (for example radios) may or may not be covered by the insurance payout depending on risk‑pool determinations and cabling/compatibility with a new vehicle.

Council members asked whether the city is pursuing subrogation against the other driver’s insurer and whether the city’s property or risk‑pool coverage might reimburse specialty equipment. Councilmember Aldridge urged staff to push for as much recovery as possible and suggested exploring policy riders to capture aftermarket items; Councilmember Dorsey and others said subrogation is typically handled by the carrier, not by the city’s own attorneys, though the city will follow up with the risk pool for clarification. Several members also asked about fleet strategy (SUVs vs pickups), whether salvaged radios have been removed from the purchase list, and how many patrol vehicles are available; staff said the department currently has vehicles to cover patrol but noted pressures on the fleet and that outfitting compatibility can affect how much salvage can be reused.

After questions and discussion, the council approved the purchase on a motion and second; the vote was recorded with one nay and the motion carried.

Council members said they expect further follow‑up from staff and the risk pool on subrogation and equipment coverage; no additional appropriation was approved beyond the contingency funding authorized for the purchase.

Votes at a glance: authorization for finance transfers — approved (recorded 5 ayes, 2 nays); carry‑forward authorizations — approved (5 ayes, 2 nays); purchase of 2026 Ford F‑150 for police — approved (motion carried, 1 nay recorded).