Belle aldermen approved $23,000 toward purchase of K9 police SUV

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer
Posted 6/7/23

BELLE — During a May 31 special meeting, Belle aldermen voted 4-0 to purchase a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe K9 vehicle not to exceed $23,000 from a dealership in Chicago, Ill. following a visit to the …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Belle aldermen approved $23,000 toward purchase of K9 police SUV

Posted

BELLE — During a May 31 special meeting, Belle aldermen voted 4-0 to purchase a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe K9 vehicle not to exceed $23,000 from a dealership in Chicago, Ill. following a visit to the location to view the SUV.

Mayor Daryl White, Jr., presented the information to the board, including that the Tahoe has about 76,000 miles, is equipped for K9 personnel and already has a cage installed.

City  Treasurer Charro Reasor took notes at the meeting as City Clerk Frankie Horstman was not present.

“They said they might drive up and get it,” Reasor said. “But they also saw on the paperwork that the dealership offers free delivery.”

Alderman Jeanette Struemph made a motion to purchase the vehicle for the $23,000 and White said he would contact the dealership to make a deal.

Aldermen James (Pudd) Mitchell said on Friday that the car has been temporarily reserved.

“It is good until we can get there to look at it,” Mitchell said. “If we don’t like it, we don’t have to buy it.”

Mitchell said the car’s equipment is a bonus.

“It is a K9 car,” he began. “It has air for the dog and lights. It doesn’t have a light bar, but they already have a light bar. From the pictures, it is a nice vehicle.”

Mitchell said there is currently a two-year wait for new police Tahoe.

“If you ordered a new one with a police department package, you’d be looking at 2025,” Mitchell said.

K9 handler Sgt. Mark Morgan would be driving the vehicle to transport K9 Kimon to his duties. Morgan presented the board with car radio options and purchase prices.

“Mark presented a price of a police radio between $5,500 and $6,000 and there is a six-week wait time to get it delivered,” Reasor said. “Additional cost for the installation includes wiring and brackets. They already have a light bar.”

Alderman Barb Howarth motioned to purchase the radio, not to exceed $6,000, of Morgan’s choice. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote.

Aldermen adjoined to closed session for personnel to discuss applicants for public works employees.

According to the city’s advertisement, they are hoping to hire one employee and one director for public works. They hired Jim Goben for part-time at $18 an hour the week before.

“Jim Goben goes full-time on Monday as public works/maintenance,” Reasor said.

Goben’s position will primarily oversee the park grounds and general maintenance. The board planned to interview for a public works director yesterday (Tuesday). Mitchell said on Friday that he has been assisting Goben with duties.

“There are only a couple of us,” Mitchell said. “I am doing what I can, mowing, drains, mains — and I’m not getting paid for it. I can’t get paid for it ‘cause I am a public official.”

The city has had a few waterline issues since the three former public works employees left.

“The company that does the boring in town hit a service line near the Catholic Church,” Mitchell said. “If I don’t do it, what are we gonna do? We can’t just let things go. Can’t let the grass grow up. I am helping to mow, read meters, get the water turned back on and reconnected.”

Mitchell said they are doing what they know to do.

“All we can do is what we are doing and move forward,” he said. “I hate to lose employees like that, but you can’t stop them from leaving. They’ve been great. If I’ve got a problem, I can contact Rodney (Turner, former employee who went to Bland)and he will try to set me in the right direction.”