New cars on horizon for GPD
GREENCASTLE -- The city a step closer to getting some much-needed upgrades to its aging fleet of police cars.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Greencastle Common Council approved the first reading of a resolution authorizing additional appropriations to the annual budget. $91,000 of this would go toward new police equipment.
The money in question comes from the cumulative capital improvement fund and would be transferred to equipment, along with $9,000 going toward the LaserFiche server and program.
GPD Chief Tom Sutherlin has been in talks with Putnam County Sheriff Steve Fenwick and Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter about help with funding new GPD cars from the county's forfeiture fund.
The county has agreed to pay for three cars and three 800 MHz radios at a cost of approximately $70,000. The city would then need to pay for the remainder of the equipment for outfitting the vehicles.
Additionally, the city plans to purchase two additional cars and their equipment from the money transferred from CCI.
Sutherlin said an extensive study by an intern from DePauw last year had revealed the Dodge Charger to be the most economical choice for the city to select. Additionally, the new vehicles will have V6 engines rather than the V8s in the current Crown Victorias.
Council members were strongly behind the move, noting it was a needed upgrade that would save the city in the coming years in fuel and repair costs.
"I think it's great we have the opportunity to get the cars for the police. I think it's much needed," said councilor T.J. Smith.
The LaserFiche system toward which the additional $9,000 would go is in the interest of expanding the capabilities of the city's Web site. Clerk-treasurer Teresa Glenn explained the new system would involve scanning in the city's collection of public documents and making them available online in a searchable form.
Once completed, the system will make it possible for documents such as ordinance and resolutions to be accessed from the Web site.
More information from Tuesday's meeting will be available in Thursday's Banner Graphic.