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Council schedules special meeting after debate over cost, availability of police vehicles
Summary
The council debated buying up to three used police vehicles (quotes around $40,000–$47,000 each) and the warranty/service contract terms; members agreed to a special meeting to review firm quotes and finalize purchases so the chief can pursue surplus opportunities quickly.
Alma's council discussed an urgent request from the police department to acquire vehicles. Chief Hawkins told the council the department is routinely exceeding estimated annual mileage and recommended replacement vehicles; members weighed buying one vehicle now versus budget-authorizing up to three depending on availability.
Chief Hawkins said the vehicles on the table would likely exceed the assumed 15,000-mile annual figure: "We're gonna go over 15,000 miles," he noted when asked about mileage assumptions. Councilors and the mayor reviewed quotes showing used police vehicles in the $40,000'$47,000 range and debated the cost of service contracts and extended warranties; one line item in the package listed a service-contract fee of $35.95 per vehicle.
Members raised concerns about long-term maintenance costs versus short-term capital outlay, whether to wait or to authorize a not-to-exceed amount, and how replacing aging vehicles could reduce annual maintenance expenses (council noted towing net up by $28,000 and police P&L net up by about $58,000 year-to-date). To avoid losing time-sensitive surplus opportunities, the council asked staff to collect firm pricing and scheduled a special meeting to make a final decision.
A subsequent motion at the end of the meeting set a special session to consider the precise purchase authorization and finalize whether to buy one or more vehicles.
