Springfield to purchase new vehicles, including 8 police SUVs

Mar. 5—Springfield City Commissioners authorized this week the purchasing of new vehicles to be used by the police division.

It is part of larger number of vehicles that have been recently approved by the city to replace older equipment.

That includes equipment used by the city's service department as well as by the city's wastewater treatment plant. Springfield will also be replacing aging buses used for public transportation.

During a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, the commissioners approved an ordinance that allows for the purchasing of eight 2021 Ford Police Interceptors, an SUV type vehicle, from National Auto Fleet Group, for an amount not to exceed $306,463.68.

"We had a lot of luck with these Ford Police Interceptors in rotating them into our fleet," said Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck.

He noted that those purchases are part of an ongoing commitment by the city to invest in public safety, including in equipment and infrastructure.

Heck added that these vehicles also filter down to other departments within city government.

"We are able to recycle, in a sense, the vehicles throughout our organization so other departments and divisions aren't necessarily buying brand new vehicles," Heck said.

"They are able to make use of existing vehicles that have been purchased. We get the full life out of those vehicles," he added.

In addition to approving the purchase of those police SUVs , Springfield City Commissioners also authorized the issuance of a purchase order for buses to be used by Springfield City Area Transit.

The ordinance that was approved relates to the purchasing of five low floor cutaway buses from Transportation Equipment Sales Corporation for an amount not to exceed $1,355,195.

Those vehicles will be replacing old ones on the fleet and will be fully paid for using federal funding as well as dollars from the Ohio Department of Transportation, according to Springfield Finance Director Mark Beckdahl.

City Commissioners also approved entering into a lease/purchase agreement with Truist Bank in the principal amount of $780,000.

That agreement will allow for the purchasing of one 800 Jetter Truck and one 2020 HX12 Hydro Excavator for sewer maintenance, and one 2022 HV607 SBA Crane Truck for use by the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Springfield Service Director Chris Moore said those purchases will replace aging vehicles currently being used by his department.