Bids for two new police vehicles were one of the main discussions during Monday night’s Columbia City Council meeting. The police department plans to purchase two new vehicles this year.
The city received bids on three vehicles from Don Franklin Ford in Columbia and three vehicles from Gary Yeomans Ford in Frankfort. Franklin’s bid a 2023 V8 Dodge Durango, a 2025 Ford F150, and a 2025 Ford Explorer Interceptor. Yeomans bid two 2025 Ford F150s with different options and a 2026 Ford Explorer Interceptor.
The pricing of the bids ranged from $39,999 for the 2023 Durango to $53,095 for Ford F150. It will cost an estimated additional $12,000 to outfit the vehicles for use.
“I would like to try the Fords and see how they hold up,” said Chief Evan Burton. “The vehicles are running 8-10 hours per day, 5 days a week”.
Vehicles must be “pursuit rated” for Kentucky League of Cities insurance, he added.
Councilman Ronald Rogers said he would like for Burton and Councilman Mark Harris, a former police chief, to work together and decide what would be best for the needs of the department and price.
“It’s for your department, but it’s our wallet,” said Rogers.
The matter was tabled to give Harris and Burton time to research the vehicles.
Tax Rate Set
The ad valorum tax rate for the City of Columbia was set. The rate decreased from 19.8 cents per $100 assessment to 18.6 cents, which is the compensating rate. The compensating rate allows the taxing entity to receive around the same revenue as the previous year on the same property.
The second reading of an ordinance to establish a pay scale for a Code Enforcement Officer was approved. Hoots said that they would hire someone as soon as possible. The Code Enforcement Officer will work directly with City Attorney Mike Harris immediately on the three properties that were previously approved by the council for legal action. This includes properties on Jamestown, Greensburg and Mitchell Streets.
SRO Contract Approved
A contract for School Resource Officers was approved. The two main changes to the contract are that the position will be filled by retired police officers only and the Adair County Board of Education will make requests as needed for officers to attend events outside of the school day and pay a set fee.
The city police provide three School Resource Officers each year. The contract states that “It is anticipated that an SRO’s assignment will not exceed 185 days or 1480 hours in a school year”.
The board of education will determine pay for events outside of a regular school day in which they need an officer available, and any officer that is available may fill those requests. The Adair County School campus is in the city limits and patrolled around the clock by the city police.
Mayor Pam Hoots informed the council that there had been FEMA money approved that could potentially be $80,000 for the city. The city has turned in all documents needed for this. FEMA money would go back into the general fund to reimburse the city for equipment, overtime, and use of vehicles during a declared FEMA event.
There are two other possible FEMA events. One has been declared, and the city can turn in paperwork to be reimbursed for up to $48,075. A second one has not been officially declared but could be up to $48,064 if it is deemed so by FEMA.
Sidewalks grants have been approved along that would pay all but 3% of the cost of the project. The project will add sidewalks on Greensburg St. to the schools, up Indian Drive to the high school, across Mitchell St., and up Hudson St.
A flooding issue on Rice Dr. and Watson St. was discussed. Hoots asked the council for permission to meet with engineers and develop a plan to possibly reroute the water and prevent the roads from future flooding. She also asked to explore funding options for this. The council approved Hoot’s request.
Councilman Craig Dean asked about the two-hour parking on the square. There have been recent complaints about vehicles being parked for long periods of time and taking parking for customers for businesses located on the square.
Dean asked about the city lot on the corner of Campbellsville St. and Merchant St. Hoots stated that parking lot was open to anyone, and no one owns those spots.
To further clarify, Dean asked Hoots, “So a business can’t threaten to tow your vehicle because you are parked in a spot they normally park in?” Council members agreed that was correct.
Hoots said “It is our parking lot. It is open. The only time we will ask people not to park there is if we have events.”
A request had been made for the city to donate an auto to the Adair Regional Jail Class D facility.
Hoots stated, “I would highly recommend this; they do a lot of work for us.”. The vehicle is a 2012 Silverado that is already in surplus. The council agreed to donate the vehicle.
A second reading to annex the property owned by Vicky Pike at the intersection of W. Highway 80 and S. Highway 61 was approved.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
