Sellersburg council approves ordinance to dispose of two surplus police vehicles amid public questions

The Town of Sellersburg on Feb. 2 approved an ordinance authorizing the disposal or trade‑in of two surplus police vehicles after a second reading and a voice vote of the council.

The ordinance, listed in the packet as 2026‑ORD‑002, cites Indiana Code provisions for disposition of surplus personal property and notes trade‑in values for a 2018 Dodge Charger and a 2019 Dodge Durango. Staff said titles are on file and reported trade‑in values in the council packet. The council moved for approval and the motion carried by voice vote.

Resident Charles Pierce, who addressed the council during public comment, told the board he had checked VIN numbers online and could not locate the vehicles in public searches. "The VIN numbers are not correct," Pierce said, and asked whether the town intended to trade the vehicles in or sell them, and whether a sealed‑bid process could be used so members of the public could bid. Council members and staff responded that Indiana law allows specific procedures for sale or trade and that appraisal and sealed‑bid routes are available when the ordinance and state code require them.

Town staff told the council the ordinance follows Indiana Code citations included in the ordinance language and that a purchasing agent would follow required advertising or auction procedures if a sale is pursued rather than a trade‑in. The ordinance grants authority to the town manager and police chief to proceed consistent with those statutory requirements.

The council did not record a roll‑call vote in the minutes provided; the packet shows the motion was approved by voice. No disposal price or sealed‑bid timetable was specified in the meeting record.

The council did not adopt any immediate change to the disposal method requested by the public commenter; staff said standard Indiana Code steps would be followed if the vehicles are sold.