Orange Police Chief Lane Martin needed new vehicles to replace ones flooded by Tropical Storm Harvey and is buying local.
The Orange City Council Tuesday agreed to spend up to $82,000 for two to three pickup trucks from Sabine River Ford. Council members thanked him for buying local.
Chief Martin told the council the police department is short on vehicles and new ones were not available through the co-op. He contacted Sabine River Ford and the company was able to offer government fleet prices on the vehicles.
He said two unmarked detective vehicles flooded while parked in the police station’s parking lot. Two of the Ford F-150 XL SuperCrew cab trucks will be used for detectives. They will cost $27,000 each. “It’s a good deal,” Martin said.
He said cars are cheaper, but “trucks are more practical for what we do.” In recent years, the department has been using SUV for patrol.
Councilor Brad Childs, a local business owner, thanked the chief for using businesses in the city. He said he hopes that in the future, the city can buy all vehicles locally.
The council accepted a $5,000 grant from the Stark Foundation to help the Orange Fire Department with equipment to provide CPR classes. Fire Chief David Frenzel said the department will be able to give classes for the public.
Also, representatives from Waste Management, the company that has a contract with the city to provide garbage pickup, announced a $30,000 donation to the community for Harvey. The money was given to Orange Christian Services.
Tuesday’s council meeting included several items dealing with plans in the 2017-18 budget year that started October 1.
No one spoke during a public hearing for replacing playground equipment at Ridgemont Park. The new playground is in the new budget. In addition, the council approved accepting the 2018 federal Community Development Block Grant money for a total of $306,974.
Also Tuesday Waste Management, the company that contracts with the City of Orange for garbage pickup, made a $30,000 donation for the community during the city council meeting Tuesday. The donation is going to Orange Christian Services to help the community after Tropical Storm Harvey.
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