Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
St. Clair board approves purchase of replacement patrol interceptor after wreck
Summary
The St. Clair Board of Aldermen approved purchasing a new police interceptor to replace a patrol vehicle declared a total loss in May. City staff said the vehicle costs $55,450.63 and funding would use insurance proceeds and salary savings.
The St. Clair Board of Aldermen voted to approve the purchase of a replacement police interceptor after a department vehicle was wrecked in May.
Administrator Welty introduced the request, saying the replacement was needed to restore patrol capacity. “We're asking for approval to purchase a new, patrol interceptor to replace the one that was wrecked in May,” Welty told the board. Police Chief Sykes confirmed the wrecked vehicle was deemed a total loss and presented cost comparisons for a new vehicle versus used options. “The vehicle was, deemed a total loss,” Chief Sykes said, and he recommended buying new to avoid the maintenance and warranty risks of used units.
Chief Sykes provided a price for a new interceptor of $55,450.63 and explained staff intend to transfer existing radio and computer equipment to the new unit; the only additional hardware expected is a new cage and a console that fits the vehicle. Welty and staff identified roughly $23,000 in insurance proceeds and about $7,135 in salary savings to help fund the purchase, noting a budget amendment would be required to accommodate prior wreck-related expenses already approved by the board.
Alderman Gover moved to proceed with the purchase based on the information provided; the motion was seconded and carried. The board discussed buying through a state bid rather than continuing vehicle leases with a rental provider for police units, with Welty saying moving away from that lease arrangement should save several thousand dollars in the long run.
