SYLACAUGA — Excess miles on patrol cars, maintenance costs and driving conditions are the reasons Chief Louis Zook is asking for three new patrol cars and a used truck for the Police Department.Zook made the request to the City Council in a work session Monday night.
The city bought four Ford Crown Victorias last year, Zook said. But to keep the fleet up-to-date, he submitted his proposal to buy more vehicles.
"Although our fleet may appear large, the department currently has fewer vehicles than it had a few years ago, even though additional personnel have been added.
"In addition, due to the type of driving conditions and the number of miles placed on a vehicle, replacement is a constant issue," he said.
Currently, one of the department’s patrol vehicles has in excess of 200,000 miles, one in excess of 150,000 miles and two more will exceed 150,000 miles this fiscal year.
Zook said all of these vehicles need to be replaced.
"Based on the department’s vehicle replacement and improvement plan, the department should purchase the three new police-package vehicles at an approximate cost of $25,000 each, including equipment," he said.
In addition, Zook is requesting a used truck for the nuisance control officer. The truck is used to pick up stray animals.
Zook said the vehicle being used by the officer now is a 1992 model that was a hand-me-down from the Utilities Board.
"I have attempted to locate another truck from the Utilities Board without success. The department needs to replace this vehicle — possibly through a local source or the Alabama state surplus — at an approximate cost of $10,000," he said.
Councilman Ken Horn asked Zook if the city might come out better leasing the four patrol cars.
Zook said the city leased four cars in 1996. He feels the city spent more money leasing those cars than if they had bought them outright.
"With a lease you are making payments on a three- or four-year plan. The lease doesn’t include maintenance other than what you would get if you bought the car," he said. "I think you spend more money leasing than buying one."
Council president Doug Murphree said that in recent years the council has tried to buy cars to make sure the department has a safe fleet. At one point, there were several years when cars were not bought and that put the department behind in having the necessary vehicles, he said.
In the past three years, the city has purchased 10 new patrol cars.
"If we do three a year, I think we will be OK in keeping our fleet up-to-date," Murphree said.
Currently, Sylacauga police maintain a fleet of 29 vehicles, which are assigned throughout the department.
Of those 29, 16 are patrol units, seven are unmarked for investigation and administrative divisions, one is nuisance control, three are school resource officer and DARE cars, one is support service, and one is for other use.
Due to the vehicles’ assignment and usage, Zook said, their life span varies — an average life span of five years appears to be reasonable.
Zook has suggested purchasing and replacing three marked patrol cars each year under his department’s vehicle capital improvement plan. This would replace each marked unit every five years.
Zook said he believes following a replacement schedule will allow the department to replace vehicles on a consistent basis and generally prior to incurring substantial cost normally associated with older, high-mileage vehicles.
