Refurbished patrol car purchase OK

— With only three of the five-member Highfill Town Council present at Thursday’s special meeting, approval was given to police chief Eric Jones to spend up to $23,000 from funds the department has in savings to purchase a refurbished police car.

Because the town’s Durango has 140,000 miles on it and has had some recent mechanical issues, Jones requested the council allow him to purchase a 2008 Crown Victoria with 18,000 miles on it from Joe Watts Police Sales in Vinita, Okla. Jones said that rather than wear out the Durango, he intends to keep the 4-wheel-drive vehicle for special needs of the department, such as snow storms and floods, and use the refurbished car for regular patrol purposes.

The price tag on the refurbished police car, with a paint job, striping, and all the equipment it needs except for a radar and police radio would be $18,800.

Jones thought the car price itself was about $14,000 with the outfitting package being a little over $4,000.

“We’re getting a $10,000 package for $4,000,” Jones said.

Included in the purchase would be an additional 3-year/36,000 mile warranty, over and above the current mileage, he said.

Jones said they looked at approximately 25 cars and felt this would be the best purchase for the city. He said he preferred the Crown Victoria because it had a little more road clearance than the town’s Dodge, on which a catalytic converter had been damaged because of low road clearance and had to be replaced.

Jones asked for $23,000 rather than $18,800 plus the cost of a radar unit and radio so as to have a little extra to work with if he had to spend any additional money to get the car ready for service.

“I’m hoping not to need the extra money,” he said, “and won’t spend it if I don’t need to; but I don’t want to have to call a special meeting if I should need to replace a tire or something.”

Jones anticipated the car would be refurbished and ready for delivery in 30 to 45 days.

Councilman Ryan Evans suggested Jones request a Carfax report to find out the car’s history and why it was being refurbished. Jones said he could find out from the dealership before he purchased the vehicle but reminded the council of the warranty included with the car.

A motion to authorizethe purchase was made by Michelle Reiff, seconded by Ryan Evans, and approved by Reiff, Evans and Paula Pautsky. Sandy Evans and Toby Lester were absent.

Money being used for the car purchase is from ticket revenue generated and returned to the Highfill Police Department for such equipment needs.

Highfill’s police department consists of two fulltime officers, Jones and Jeremy Wall, and three parttime officers, Blake Webb, Brad Harris and Jeremiah Nicholson.

News, Pages 8 on 07/27/2011