Mayor: Auxvasse in need of police vehicle

The City of Auxvasse will be looking into purchasing a patrol car for the police department, Mayor Kevin Phares announced during Tuesday's city council meeting.

According to Sgt. Robert Harrison of the Auxvasse Police Department, the department's current vehicles are continually needing maintenance and have more than 50,000 miles on them.

"We are one car down right now," Harrison told the council.

Council members voted to transfer $6,000 from the police department's 2010 budget into a savings account to be used specifically for purchasing another police vehicle. It was briefly debated among council members whether it would be better to buy a new or used vehicle or just to lease one. Phares said a grant is available that would pay for up to 80 percent of the cost of a patrol car, but it's only available if they city purchases a new vehicle. Alderman Terry Walker said a new vehicle would cost the city around $20,000.

Harrison added that the grant wouldn't cover the estimated $2,000 equipment cost.

"We have to furnish all equipment in them," he told the council.

Phares said he asked the police department to compile a list of all the money put into its current vehicles, so the council could make an informed decision about purchasing another one.

City Clerk Missy Hooks announced that there would be a public hearing to discuss raising water and sewer rates during the next council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Walker brought up the need for a new planning and zoning board to convene. Alderman Mike Bickel said the current planning and zoning ordinance has been amended and needs to be approved by a board. However, a new planning and zoning board is three members shy of a quorum to convene. Walker said any citizen of Auxvasse is welcome to contact the city about becoming a member.