Riverdale Park council adopts monthly finance report, approves police vehicle lease and new patrol laptops

Riverdale Park, Md. — The Riverdale Park Town Council on July 7 adopted routine finance and consent items and approved two procurement measures for the police department.

Deputy Director Jones presented the monthly finance report for June, saying the town’s year‑to‑date revenue stood at $11,390,911 (about 102% of budget) and year‑to‑date expenditures at $9,311,521 (83% of budget), producing an estimated revenue net expenditure carryforward of $2,079,390. Jones cautioned figures are preliminary and staff will finalize the fiscal‑year close by the end of August. The council adopted the monthly finance report, subject to audit, by roll call vote (5–0).

Staff then brought two legislative items for formal action for the police department. Chief Turner described a staff recommendation to authorize the town manager to participate in a Ford Credit municipal lease‑purchase program through Herttrick Fleet Services for four 2025 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles on a five‑year lease with an annual payment not to exceed $70,000, a figure Turner said includes vehicle upfitting for emergency equipment. “We recommend leasing 4 2025 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility … on a 5‑year lease and an annual lease payment not to exceed $70,000 per year,” Turner said.

Council members asked about per‑vehicle math and the cost and benefits of leasing versus buying. Turner said upfitting runs about $18,000 per vehicle and that leasing in this case enables the town to replace four aging patrol vehicles at once rather than purchase fewer vehicles. Questions about electric vehicles arose: one council member noted that level‑3 charging and some dedicated EV patrol models exist but Turner and staff said current available EVs they evaluated (including Ford Mach‑E and the Chevy Blazer EV) were too small for patrol transport needs and the town lacks charging infrastructure for a four‑vehicle EV rollout on the proposed budget.

The motion to authorize the town manager to sign lease documents was moved by Council member Lingua and seconded by Council member Colon; the measure passed 4–1.

Separately, the council authorized the purchase of 20 Panasonic Toughbook FZ‑40 computers, vehicle mounting hardware and installation to replace devices nearing end‑of‑support for an amount not to exceed $130,000. Turner explained the purchase is driven by the pending end of mainstream support for Windows 10 and the town’s cybersecurity needs. That motion passed by roll call vote (5–0).

Votes at a glance • Adopt monthly finance report (subject to audit): passed 5–0 • Approve consent agenda (permits/minutes): passed 5–0 • Authorize town manager to enter Ford Credit lease for four 2025 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, five‑year lease, annual payment not to exceed $70,000: passed 4–1 (mover: Council member Lingua; second: Council member Colon) • Authorize purchase of 20 Panasonic Toughbook FZ‑40 computers, mounts and installation, not to exceed $130,000: passed 5–0 • Motion to close meeting for personnel discussion (executive session): passed 5–0

The council discussed implementation details and asked staff for comparative financing numbers; staff committed to providing those figures to the council in July.