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Florence approves lease-purchase financing for police vehicles and authorizes city truck purchase
Summary
The Florence Mayor and Board approved a 4.00% lease-purchase financing offer from Community Bank to fund new police vehicles and authorized the purchase of a 2024 F-150 for city use, each measure passing by unanimous vote.
Florence's mayor and board unanimously approved lease-purchase financing to buy new police vehicles and authorized a separate vehicle purchase at their Oct. 7, 2025 meeting.
The board accepted Police Chief Burns's recommendation to take Community Bank's 4.00% lease-purchase offer, described in the motion as "the lowest and best quote" among four proposals (Copiah Bank 4.25%, Cadence Bank 4.84%, Trustmark Bank 5.45%). Alderman Mason Herrin moved the financing motion; Alderman Grantham seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The board then authorized Mayor Trey Gunn to execute the Lease Purchase Agreement pending review and approval of the final documents by City Attorney Bobby Lingold.
Separately, the board approved purchasing a 2024 Ford F-150 Crew Cab from Pine Belt Auto Group for $46,155.00 after Park Director Mark Hester presented two vendor quotes (Kirk Auto Group $48,583.00). The truck purchase motion was made by Alderman Martin and seconded by Alderman Sistrunk and passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Lease-purchase arrangements let the city spread equipment costs over time while meeting near-term vehicle needs for public safety and municipal operations. The board did not disclose the total financed amount or the lease term during the meeting; those details were described as contingent on the City Attorney's review.
What’s next: The mayor is authorized to sign the agreement once the city attorney approves the documents; no further board action on the financing was recorded at the meeting.
