City of Knox Must Purchase 2014 Police Cruiser; Grant Still Applies

The city of Knox has encountered a minor hiccup in their purchase of a new squad car to replace a police vehicle that had been totaled after striking a deer. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the city council this week that the city is no longer able to purchase 2013 model year vehicles and must look into purchasing a 2014 model, which he said will come out to roughly $300 more.

He said this isn’t really an issue, however, because the grant will still cover 75 percent of the cost including the extra expense. Houston said the grant was originally awarded in the amount of $24,900 from a USDA rural development grant, covering 75 percent of the purchase of the vehicle, with the city paying $8,396 from its EDIT fund to cover the rest of the cost. The additional expense for a newer vehicle will be assimilated into these figures.

Houston said this news couldn’t come at a more opportune time for the city, as it has been operating one vehicle short since the damaged squad car was taken out of service in March. At one point, Houston explained, the city had been notified that no money was available due to the federal sequester, but luckily, some funds were freed up and the city was ultimately awarded the grant.