January 2, 2020 at 5:28 p.m.
Redkey to buy vehicle, hires an officer
Redkey to buy vehicle, hires an officer
By Rose Skelly-
Redkey Town Council dealt with several police-related items at a special meeting Monday.
Council members hired a new police officer, decided to move forward with purchasing a new SUV and bought new laptops for the department.
In November, council heard that the department’s 2013 Ford Explorer needed its engine replaced. A bid from St. Myers Auto Service came in at $7,145.39.
Rather than putting money into repairing an older vehicle, council decided to consider price estimates for new vehicles. Town Marshal Todd Miller recommended the purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe, noting that another Tahoe was purchased for the police in 2018.
“If you want a quality vehicle for this town, that’s what you ought to choose,” Miller said.
He said the vehicle should last at least 10 years if it is taken care of properly.
However, the higher price tag of the Tahoe — estimated at $37,700 — prompted discussion of purchasing a lower-priced SUV or a sedan.
“I’m definitely in favor of an SUV, simply because, like I stated when we bought the Tahoe, the police department needs to get where they need to be,” said council member Doug Stanley.
Council president Terri Taylor questioned how often the police department specifically needed four-wheel drive. Miller responded that it depended on the weather.
Ultimately, council members Randy May, Dave Dudelston, Taylor and Stanley, with Ted Friddle was absent, voted unanimously to move forward with purchasing the Tahoe.
Council members hired a new police officer, decided to move forward with purchasing a new SUV and bought new laptops for the department.
In November, council heard that the department’s 2013 Ford Explorer needed its engine replaced. A bid from St. Myers Auto Service came in at $7,145.39.
Rather than putting money into repairing an older vehicle, council decided to consider price estimates for new vehicles. Town Marshal Todd Miller recommended the purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe, noting that another Tahoe was purchased for the police in 2018.
“If you want a quality vehicle for this town, that’s what you ought to choose,” Miller said.
He said the vehicle should last at least 10 years if it is taken care of properly.
However, the higher price tag of the Tahoe — estimated at $37,700 — prompted discussion of purchasing a lower-priced SUV or a sedan.
“I’m definitely in favor of an SUV, simply because, like I stated when we bought the Tahoe, the police department needs to get where they need to be,” said council member Doug Stanley.
Council president Terri Taylor questioned how often the police department specifically needed four-wheel drive. Miller responded that it depended on the weather.
Ultimately, council members Randy May, Dave Dudelston, Taylor and Stanley, with Ted Friddle was absent, voted unanimously to move forward with purchasing the Tahoe.
“We need a third vehicle,” Miller noted. “We put our citizens and ourselves at risk with two vehicles.”
The question of paying for the vehicle also came up. The Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) fund, intended for the police and fire departments, currently has a balance of $27,000, and council was not in favor of depleting it. While the police department generally has between $10,000 and $15,000 left over each year, it wouldn’t be enough to cover the cost of the vehicle.
No final decision was made on how to pay for the vehicle, but the town will ask Indiana Department of Local Government Finance if it can appropriate funds to cover at least some of the cost.
A vacancy in the police department was filled by Mitchell James, a Redkey resident who has worked at Jay County Jail for several years. Prior to that, he worked as a police officer in Georgia and served in the Army. Council members also approved purchasing three Lenovo laptops for $2,280 from Progressive Office Products for the police department.
In other business, council members:
•Signed an updated fire contract with Knox Township, which will now pay the town $1,639 instead of $976 in 2020.
•Voted to pay Stu’s Garage $4,559.80 to repair the fire department’s backup pumper.
•Approved allowing Ryan Miskinis of the town’s police department to roll over four vacation days until March 31.
•Paid claims of $24,935.47.
The question of paying for the vehicle also came up. The Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) fund, intended for the police and fire departments, currently has a balance of $27,000, and council was not in favor of depleting it. While the police department generally has between $10,000 and $15,000 left over each year, it wouldn’t be enough to cover the cost of the vehicle.
No final decision was made on how to pay for the vehicle, but the town will ask Indiana Department of Local Government Finance if it can appropriate funds to cover at least some of the cost.
A vacancy in the police department was filled by Mitchell James, a Redkey resident who has worked at Jay County Jail for several years. Prior to that, he worked as a police officer in Georgia and served in the Army. Council members also approved purchasing three Lenovo laptops for $2,280 from Progressive Office Products for the police department.
In other business, council members:
•Signed an updated fire contract with Knox Township, which will now pay the town $1,639 instead of $976 in 2020.
•Voted to pay Stu’s Garage $4,559.80 to repair the fire department’s backup pumper.
•Approved allowing Ryan Miskinis of the town’s police department to roll over four vacation days until March 31.
•Paid claims of $24,935.47.
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