Finance committee approves two Tesla Model Y patrol vehicles, along with other police equipment purchases

The City of Green Bay Finance Committee on June 9 approved a package of police equipment purchases that includes two 2026 Tesla Model Y vehicles for patrol use, purchased at a combined total of $89,390. The vote came after the police chief reviewed vehicle pricing, operational suitability and the city’s existing charging infrastructure.

The chief said the department already uses two Tesla vehicles in the traffic safety unit and presented price comparisons with other electric options, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Chevrolet Blazer EV. “When you look around the country, you do see a lot more of those being used in police departments,” the chief said, adding his office had not found many examples of those other EVs serving as regular patrol cars. He told the committee the Tesla Model Y was available in a configuration the department believed could meet patrol requirements.

Alder John Shelton expressed concern that Teslas may not be serviceable in Green Bay and urged consideration of supporting local businesses. “My concern is my understanding is that these Teslas can't be serviced here in Green Bay,” Shelton said. The chief responded that the department has existing charging infrastructure and would likely add stations as needed and that prior experience with department Teslas had been positive.

Committee members moved and seconded the motion to approve the two Tesla vehicles; the motion carried by voice vote.

Alongside the Tesla purchase, the committee approved several other police equipment items: one ATV Sportsman 570 and two Range Crew SP570 UTVs from Polaris for $55,158 (funded from capital improvement plan funds), an inflatable rescue boat from Milpo Marine (agenda listed approximately $50,900) and an evidence racking system from Global Industrial for $62,961.20 to support consolidation at the Day Street facility. Staff explained the boat purchase was funded through 2026 borrowing and that procurement included attempts to use cooperative contracts and GSA pricing where feasible.

The committee did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript for these items; each passed on committee motion and voice vote. The committee flagged follow-ups on EV charging levels and local service options for future staff clarification.