The purchase of two new Chevrolet Tahoes for Brownwood Police patrol vehicles through the Bruner Auto Group of Brownwood was approved during Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Brownwood City Council.

According to City Manager Bobby Rountree, the two vehicles, equipment and graphics total $54,320.  The next lowest bid was a Buy Board (governmental contract price) bid from Caldwell County, which came in at $54,742.00 for the police package Tahoes.  Budget funds included a total of $60,000 for the two vehicles fully equipped with graphics, saving the city more than $6,000 from the expected cost, which pleased Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes.

“I’m glad to see that the local dealership came in and bid lower,” stated Haynes.  “We always want to keep those dollars locally when we can.  In this case, not only was it the low bid but it also was $6,000 below our budget, so that is an excellent bid.”

Traditionally, the Brownwood Police Department and other law enforcement agencies have purchased sedans for patrol operations.  Industry changes to the body style of sedans however have created a risk of injury to officers and those being transported.  Diminished space at the rear doors have made placing combative and/or intoxicated subjects into the rear seat of a sedan more difficult and has increased the risk of physical injury if a struggle were to ensue.  Last year the City of Brownwood began a process of transitioning the Police Department’s fleet of patrol vehicles to Chevrolet Tahoes because they have proven to be the best option for law enforcement, according to city officials.

Rountree additionally stated that Chief of Police Mike Corley has scheduled a driving school with the Tahoes in the near future for officers in the department.

Pictured above is one of the first Tahoes purchased earlier this year with the updated BPD logo and graphics.

In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:

*Council approved on first reading to close a 12’ wide alley at 1111 Morris Street in Block 4 of the Woodland Addition, beginning at Morris Street and continuing northeast for approximately 103’.

*An ordinance on second and third/final readings was approved changing the zoning classification of properties along Golding Road beginning at 3507 to 3617 Golding Road, beings lots 4-21, Block 1, of the Turtle Rock Addition, from C-2 General Business District to MH Manufactured Home/Mobile Home District.

*Council approved an ordinance on second and third/final readings adopting Atmos Rate Review Mechanism Settlement.

*Mayoral appointment of Ray Tipton and reappointment of Michael Cloy to the Parks and Recreation Board were approved by the council.