Redkey to buy vehicle

REDKEY — Wednesday’s special meeting was all about police business.

Redkey Town Council on Wednesday approved purchasing a new police vehicle, but continued to disagree on what type of vehicle the town should buy.  

Redkey Police Department currently has two vehicles, with the third out of commission with a blown engine. The question of whether to replace or repair the 2013 Ford Explorer has been discussed by council since last fall.

At its regular July meeting, council again revisited the topic, considering putting a down payment on the vehicle using money from the local option income tax fund and then making monthly car payments from the police department’s budget surplus. Council members Gary Gardner and Erik Hammers were tasked with seeking out possible makes and models.

Two vehicle options were discussed Wednesday — a Dodge Charger, which is a four-door sedan, and a Dodge Durango, an SUV. The specific prices were not disclosed because the town didn’t receive an official quote for the Charger, but council members indicated that the SUV was about $1,900 more than the sedan.

Gardner said he would vote to purchase the less expensive Charger, which also has a more powerful engine. He also noted that the department already has one SUV.

“I don’t see the need for a second one,” Gardner said. “This Charger’s an all-wheel drive.”

However, council member Randy May said he would vote for the SUV, stating that the price difference was worth the Durango’s advantages.

Town Marshal Todd Miller also expressed a preference for the Durango, which he says is a safer vehicle because it’s less powerful. It also has more room for equipment and would drive better in the snow.

“I’m telling you what, you put some young kid that’s never been in a police car in that damn Charger, they’re going to wrap it around a tree, a telephone pole, a guard rail and we’re going to ruin a car and you might kill a policeman,” Miller said.

Ultimately, council voted unanimously to buy a police vehicle. However, without specific quotes and the amount of a monthly car payment, council was unable to make a final decision on which to purchase.  

Instead, they voted to have Gardner get quotes for both vehicles and present them at council’s Aug. 20 meeting. He said he would email the information to council before the meeting if possible so members can review the options.

Also on Wednesday, council members Terri Taylor, John Pierce, Gardner, May and Hammers approved advertising for a new officer after the resignation of Ryan Miskinis, whose last day will be Friday.