PLEASANT VIEW — Two new vehicles will be bought for the police department, as council members approved up to $66,000 for the vehicles, equipment and installation.
Police Chief Scott Jackson said the purchases are part of a vehicle rotation plan. He asked that the purchase be approved as part of the 2012-13 budget, with the money to come out of the equipment fund.
Jackson said he has located some vehicles in the $24,000 price range. One will be a Dodge Charger and the other a four-wheel drive vehicle, either a truck or SUV.
He said the department will sell its current 2007 Charger and hopes to get around $10,000 for it. Jackson said there is also a four-wheel drive vehicle that will be passed on to either the parks or animal control departments.
The purchase plan has been a positive change for the police department, Jackson said, because the vehicles remain under warranty and maintenance costs are less.
“We were using them and almost throwing them away at the end,” said Jackson. “We have started getting a better return on the sale of the vehicle. It’s actually been a successful program and has kept us in reliable vehicles.”
Jackson said police vehicles, with all their equipment, are actually traveling offices. Right now each full-time officer has a vehicle; part-time officers share the use of a vehicle that is also used as a back-up if one is being repaired.
City Treasurer Laurie Hellstrom said any money left over after the vehicles are purchased will remain in the city equipment fund.
Comments