WEIRTON - A new budget means capital improvements for the City of Weirton, in particular the Weirton Police Department which has requested the purchase of three new vehicles in the coming fiscal year.
The Finance Committee approved a recommendation on Thursday to enter into contract for three police vehicles. Two of the vehicles, 2013 Ford Interceptor sedans, are priced at $49,328 for the total cost and the 2013 Ford Interceptor utility vehicle will cost approximately $26,232.
Finance Director Tom Maher Jr. said the funding for the vehicles was budgeted out of the 2012-2013 Coal Severence Fund, previously approved during city council workshop sessions.
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Finance Committee Chairman Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh posed questions Thursday and discussed the requested purchase of three new vehicles, two 2013 Ford Interceptor Sedans and one 2013 Ford Interceptor utility vehicle, for the Weirton Police Department. -- Angelina Dickson
Weirton Police Chief Bruce Marshall said the vehicles are all-wheel drive and are smaller than the current Ford Expeditions. He said the vehicles are a new model that will use less fuel and be able to get around during all weather conditions.
"The Dodge Chargers are nice, but you don't want a whole fleet of them," said Marshall. "These vehicles are going to work better for us in the long run."
In addition, Marshall said the equipment from other Ford vehicles being taken out of service can be switched out and installed on the new models. Public Works Director John Brown said his department could take care of the work in house and save the additional expenditures.
As for the utility vehicle, Marshall said the back end of it is larger and has more room in it than the other two vehicles being purchased but not quite as large as the Expedition. He said once council approves the purchases, he will put the order for the vehicles first thing on Tuesday and expects them to arrive at the department as early as September or October.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
