Police vehicle purchases recommended by Sringdale committee

SPRINGDALE -- The Police Department is looking to increase its fleet of vehicles and is closer to doing so after a City Council Committee vote Monday.

The committee unanimously recommend the council approve Police Chief Mike Peters requested $77,233 increase to his budget to buy three vehicles.

Springdale Council Committee

The committee also approved authorizing the Animal Shelter to increase the pay grade of a position.

SOURCE: Staff Report

"The Police Department is basically just moving funds from one pot into another to purchase three vehicles," said Melissa Reeves, public relations director for the city.

The vehicles are a Ford Explorer to be used as a Criminal Investigation Division crime scene vehicle, a Chevrolet SUV for the division and a Ram pickup for the SWAT and training supervisor.

"In order to fund this increase I propose to use the following funds received from vehicle auction, insurance payment and reimbursement from Bentonville PD," Peters stated in his request. "I further propose the balance be funded by funds held in the Municipal Law Enforcement Equipment account."

The vehicle auction money Peters referred to are from selling four seized vehicles and four unmarked 2004 Ford Crown Victorias, all auctioned this year.

The current crime scene vehicle is a 2005 Chevrolet pickup with mechanical problems and will be auctioned, and the current SWAT and training supervisor's vehicle is a 2006 Chevrolet pickup that isn't adequate but can be used in the Police Department, Peters said.

The SUV Peters is looking to buy will be assigned to CID to take the place of seized vehicles auctioned, the request states.

During the meeting Peters described the vehicles as specialty, unmarked vehicles.

The committee also approved a request from the Public Works department to amend its budget to reflect miscellaneous expenditure increases and decreases, according to the agenda packet.

"(We're) moving money around to replenish accounts," said Sam Goade, director of public works.

NW News on 08/16/2016

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