By Loyd Mcintosh, For the Tribune
CENTER POINT — The Center Point City Council approved the purchase of police vehicles during a rescheduled council meeting Monday, Nov. 14.
File Photo.
In a brief meeting lasting less than 20 minutes, the Center Point City Council approved a proposal from Stivers Ford for two Ford Police Interceptors at a price of $$38,320 per vehicle for use in the city’s Public Safety Department.
The purchase of the police vehicles comes during a period of negotiations with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department for continued police coverage within the city. Before asking for motions to approve the purchase, Council President D.M. Collins took a moment to head any misconceptions off at the pass regarding the purchase of the police vehicles.
“I would like to say ‘no, we are not starting a police department,'” Collins said. “We are looking to grow our public safety department, which is why we are looking to purchase these Interceptors. We don’t want that story to be a thing.
“I would also like to add that the police Interceptors will be funded with the ARPA funds that we received. So this will not be coming from our general budget.”
Additionally, the City Council approved the purchase of a Ford F-150 pickup for $$33,688 for use by the Public Works Department.
Center Point Mayor Bobby Scott said negotiations with Stivers Ford began after two recent open bids failed to gain any traction.
“As you know, vehicles are hard to find,” Scott said. “We didn’t get any bids on our first go-round of bids. So, we did the bid again, and I still don’t think we actually had anybody submit any.”
Following a short period of debate over the various packages provided to Stivers Ford, the city council unanimously approved the expenditure by a roll call vote with all members present.
In other business:
- The City Council named Mayor Bobby Scott as voting delegate for the National League of Cities’ 2022 NLC City Summit in mid-November and named Place 2 Councilman Glenn Willams and Place 5 Councilwoman Ebonnee Copeland as alternates.
- The City Council also presented a proclamation to the Edwards Foundation, a community service organization dedicated to providing several services to people in need, including makeovers to people suffering from hair loss due to cancer and alopecia, as well as those overcoming other obstacles in life.
- The City Council approved travel expenses for council members attending the 2022 NLC City Summit in Kansas City, Missouri.
