Grant will help Scottville buy new police car

SCOTTVILLE — A U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will allow the city of Scottville to purchase a new police car at a $11,000 savings. The city commission is expected to act on the grant and the purchase of the new car during its regular meeting today. The city has been approved for an $11,000 grant for a vehicle with a total purchase price of $28,000. The actual cost of the car is around $23,000 and the remaining $5,000 will be to transfer equipment from the 2007 Dodge Charger that is being replaced.

City Manager Amy Williams said the price of the car is coming from the State Purchasing Program, but she will check with local dealerships on their prices.

“At this time I am asking for approval to order the new car once final approval is given from Rural Development,” she said. “In speaking with the dealership that holds the state purchasing contract, there is some wait time on getting the new cars so likely it may be a few months before the new car arrives. Once the equipment from the old car has been transferred we will put that car up for sale which will then offset the purchase price even more.”

The city commission is also expected to act on renewing its administrative police agreement with the city of Ludington. Since Jan. 1 of this year, Ludington’s police chief and captain have overseen the Scottville Police Department.

“The City of Ludington has sent a new amended agreement over that they are asking us to sign by the end of the year to extend the contract by one year,” Williams said. “I’m asking the city commission to approve it at Monday’s meeting.”

Williams said a joint meeting of Ludington and Scottville public safety committees will take place after the first of the year to discuss some items about the future of the agreement.

The Scottville city commission meets at 5:30 p.m. A copy of the agenda and city manager notes is available for download below.

Scottville City Commission 12/17/12.