Council OKs first reading of $8.9 million police capital bond for vehicles, servers and equipment

The council held a first reading of a bond ordinance to appropriate $8,906,000 for a package of police capital improvements and equipment, citing vehicle replacement, computer and server upgrades and new firearms.

The ordinance would authorize roughly $7.17 million in bonds and notes to finance the township’s share of the purchases. The administration told the council the appropriation covers up to 15 four-wheel-drive police vehicles (the township typically buys 10–15 per year), replacement servers and in-vehicle technology as well as replacement firearms that the department said are more than a decade old.

Council members asked for a clearer line-by-line breakdown before final adoption; one member abstained on the first-reading vote requesting more detailed allocation information. The administration said vehicle type was left flexible because recent recalls and supply issues make specifying a single make or model impractical; the ordinance requires 4-wheel drive vehicles.

The ordinance will return for final reading and a formal vote. If adopted, procurement and specifications will proceed under the police department and purchasing rules.