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Council approves police vehicle purchase using school‑zone 'Red Speed' funds; chief outlines fleet and lease‑purchase plans
Summary
The council approved Chief Noble’s request to purchase in‑stock patrol vehicles using Red Speed (school‑zone) funds and discussed a potential lease‑purchase program to secure larger quantities and better pricing for the police fleet.
The City Council voted Feb. 16 to approve a request from Police Chief Noble to purchase patrol vehicles identified as available from a local dealer after earlier orders did not arrive.
Chief Noble said five vehicles previously ordered in August 2025 never arrived; staff located suitable, in‑stock vehicles at Brandon Motors that were less expensive and available for immediate pickup. He explained the purchase would use Red Speed funds, a restricted school‑zone initiative account that can be spent on police initiatives such as vehicles and related public‑safety equipment.
"So, Red Speed deals with school zone initiative where those funds can only be spent on police initiatives such as police vehicles and anything related to policing," the chief said in response to a council question about funding sources. Councilmembers emphasized the importance of replacing aging vehicles rather than expanding force size; the chief said the vehicles would primarily replace older, dated units.
Members also discussed pursuing a lease‑purchase program to procure a larger batch of vehicles at better unit prices and to gain fleet stability. The chief said staff would return to council later with specifics on a lease‑purchase plan.
A motion to approve the current vehicle request passed by voice vote (7–0). The council did not adopt details of any lease‑purchase contract at the meeting; that would be a separate action.
