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Melbourne council advances preliminary 2019 budget and discusses used police car purchase
Summary
At a Jan. 21 special session, the Melbourne City Council directed the clerk to enter preliminary 2019 budget figures into the state form and discussed buying a used Dodge Charger from the Kansas State Patrol as a cost-saving replacement for an aging patrol vehicle.
Mayor John White called a special budget session to order at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Melbourne City Hall, and the council unanimously approved the meeting agenda.
Mary L. Pothast, the city clerk, reviewed the preliminary 2019 budget and reported projected expenditures of $879,578 and estimated revenues of $913,627. The council directed Pothast to enter the figures into the state budget form; formal approval of the budget is scheduled for the February meeting before the city sets a public hearing.
Police Chief Ball told the council the department could acquire surplus Dodge Chargers from the Kansas State Patrol. "They pull vehicles off the road at 49,000 miles," Chief Ball said, and the patrol sells the vehicles "for $17,000-$19,000 depending on light kits and the year." He said each vehicle would come with a five-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty and that the city would need to transfer its radio and buy a console for about $800, plus an estimated $1,000 to RACOM for installation.
Chief Ball noted the department's current patrol car is a 2008 Crown Victoria with roughly 80,000 miles and said he plans to retire in three years at age 65; he offered to assist in a search for a replacement officer or vehicle if the city elects to keep its own police officer.
Pothast told the council the city has $23,405.17 in a certificate of deposit specifically set aside for this purchase. Council discussion also touched briefly on whether asphalt millings from planned paving could be reused in alleys; the clerk said the street committee, composed of Juel and Gibbs, will inspect and decide during a spring site tour.
The council unanimously approved a motion to adjourn at 6:57 p.m.
The clerk will proceed with entering the budget into the state form ahead of the February meeting when the council will take formal action on the 2019 budget.
