On second thought.
City leaders likely will retract a City Council approval to
purchase a nearly $30,000 parking enforcement vehicle after a city
official and residents sharply criticized the purchase as
unnecessary spending during tough fiscal times.
On second thought.
City leaders likely will retract a City Council approval to purchase a nearly $30,000 parking enforcement vehicle after a city official and residents sharply criticized the purchase as unnecessary spending during tough fiscal times.
City Manager Dale Shaddox and Police Chief Jeff Miller reevaluated the purchase after the April 5 City Council approved buying the three-wheeled vehicle.
After discussing the broader notion of future service cuts in the Police Department, Shaddox said they decided, probably, to put off the vehicle’s purchase for at least a year.
The vehicle would cost more than $28,000 out of the General Fund. That price would include $3,000 for air-conditioning and other accessories, such as a radio and a padded arm rest.
“The arrows are pointing in that direction of not purchasing (the vehicle) for now,” Shaddox said.
The parking enforcement officer – who walks downtown chalking tires – is among the Police Department’s four non-sworn positions.
Come July 1, Shaddox pointed out, two of those four non-sworn positions will be cut with budget shortfalls, which will mean less aggressive parking enforcement, he said. Shaddox also reiterated the possibility of more layoffs in the 2005-06 fiscal year.
If the Council agrees to cancel it, the vehicle would likely be up for consideration again as part of the 2005-06 budget, Shaddox said.
Hollister purchased a $20,000 Harley-Davidson a couple years back for parking enforcement, but it is not considered safe and It has sat unused for about a year.
At the April 5 meeting, Councilman Robert Scattini – citing the city’s financial troubles and impending 36 layoffs – lashed out at the proposed purchase. He was the only dissenting member in a 4-1 vote.
“How in good conscious can we spend this money when we’re going to be laying off people?” he asked.
He went on: “I’m not a financial whiz. I’m just trying to use common sense.”
Scattini said he received at least 20 phone calls from residents, after the approval, questioning the vehicle’s purchase.
Shaddox or Miller will discuss the issue with Council members soon, the city manager said. If the Council decides to cancel the approval, it would be accomplished informally – not during another Council meeting, he said.
