Within the past twenty-four hours, the City has received inquiries from two media outlets, asking about the City’s purchase in late 2007 of two new vehicles – one to be assigned to Police Chief Henry L. Whitehorn and the other to be assigned to the Mayor’s Office.

In late 2007, the City purchased two Chevrolet Suburbans at a cost of $31,766 each from Gerry Lane Chevrolet in Baton Rouge. These vehicles were purchased under a State contract (publicly bid), after local dealers were given the opportunity to match the State contract price. The vehicle specifications were those used by the State, with no added options. Standard Police equipment will be installed locally in the Chief’s vehicle and in the vehicle assigned to the Mayor’s Office.

The vehicles have been received by the City, but not yet accepted, because of some minor discrepancies between the bid specifications and what actually was delivered. Once those matters are resolved, they will be made ready for service by staff from the Police department and our Fleet Services division.

These vehicles are among 26 vehicles purchased from the Police Department’s budget in 2007, at a total cost of $440,300. An additional 60 vehicles are scheduled to be purchased in 2008, at an approximate cost of $1.3 million. The City’s last major vehicle purchase for the Police Department was in 2006, when 151 vehicles were bought, at a cost of more than $3 million.

The creation of the “Officer Next Program” in 2007 required that the City retain eighty-ix 1999 patrol vehicles in its fleet, instead of selling them at auction when new vehicles were purchased. This program provides a take-home vehicle for Police officers who live inside the City and allows them to claim a rebate on their City property taxes. The Police Department currently has fifty-five 1999 patrol vehicles, some of which are pool vehicles. About half of these should be replaced in 2008, with the remainder to be phased out in 2009.

Chief Whitehorn received Mayor Cedric Glover’s approval to purchase a new vehicle to be assigned to him. This vehicle will be available to Chief Whitehorn and his staff for transportation of personnel, visitors and equipment to meetings and other events. Based upon Chief Whitehorn’s vast experience for response capabilities, particularly during a crisis situation, there can be an urgent need for high-water, four-wheel drive vehicles. The Surburban has this capability and can carry the Chief and members of his command staff during major events and operations. Chief Whitehorn currently is assigned a 2003 police vehicle, which will be assigned to another police officer when his new vehicle is ready.

Based on his experience in 2007, Mayor Glover determined that it would be more functional for his office to have a vehicle assigned to it that would be suitable for the many out-of-town trips he makes, especially to Baton Rouge for the State Legislative session and for other meetings with State officials. Mayor Glover felt that it made sense to have a City vehicle available for that purpose and authorized the purchase of the Suburban for that reason. It will be assigned to Rick Seaton, Assistant to the Mayor and will also be available for use by other members of the Mayor’s staff when they travel out of town and to transport the Mayor to in-town events and when he is accompanied by staff and visitors to his office.