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Council approves purchase of a 2025 police SUV from local dealer; staff to confirm delivery timing
Summary
Council approved purchasing a 2025 Ford Interceptor SUV (local dealer option) and associated outfitting, citing current grant uncertainty and reuse of existing police equipment; staff will check delivery timelines and may revisit the purchase if timing is unsuitable.
City staff briefed the council on the need to replace aging police vehicles and recommended buying a Ford Interceptor SUV outright after several years without a federal rural vehicle grant.
Mr. Bolman outlined vehicle options and said staff's recommendation was the Ford Interceptor, noting the packet included prices for vehicle purchase and outfit costs. "Our recommendation is the Ford Interceptor...the best price being [local dealer]," he said, adding that staff planned to reuse radar and other equipment where possible to limit cost. He provided a packet breakdown that listed vehicle and outfitting amounts.
Council members debated SUV versus pickup configuration, with some members preferring a pickup for interdepartmental transferability and others supporting the SUV as better suited for regular policing needs. Chief Wilky joined the discussion on operational suitability and confirmed that officers favored the SUV option for daily duties.
A motion to purchase the 2025 Ford Explorer from the local Town and Country dealer (including the outfitting detailed in the council packet) carried. Council asked staff to investigate delivery timeframe differences between the local dealer and other sources and indicated the council would revisit the motion if unforeseen delivery or suitability issues arise.
The council recorded the motion as carried and directed staff to return with timing information if needed; no additional funding action was taken at this meeting beyond the purchase authorization.
