Thursday night, the Blytheville City Council's Police and Fire Committee gave its blessing to purchasing four new patrol units for the Blytheville Police Department.
The request is expected to be on Tuesday night's Council agenda.
Chief Ross Thompson wants to buy the four full-equipped police cars from Lander's Ford in Little Rock, which offers the state bid price. The expected cost is $120,000.
Councilman Stan Parks, chairman of the Police and Fire Committee, noted the city will pay cash for the patrol cars, using the Police and Fire tax money.
According to Finance Director John Callens, currently, there is $170,797 in the police fund, while the fire department's portion is currently $159,533.
"This is the way the tax was intended to work," Parks said, pointing out the city recently paid off the new fire truck using the police and fire tax money as well.
Parks noted the tax allows the two departments to purchase needed equipment. Thompson said once winning Council approval, he will start the process of getting the cars.
Meanwhile, Thompson also reported a $5,000 budgeting error in Animal Control. When cutting out a second animal control officer, officials didn't add the necessary overtime in for the one and only animal control officer. The chief noted there is actually a duplicated $5,000 line in the Police Department budget, and he is suggesting transferring one of those to Animal Control.
Thompson pointed out there won't be any raises; it was simply a budgeting error.
The board also heard a report from Fire Chief Mike Carney, who said 28 have applied for the two open firefighter positions.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com