City Council approves additional approprations for several departments

Members of Plymouth City Council approved a resolution for additional appropriations following a public hearing during Monday’s meeting.

Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski reviewed the additional appropriation requests during the public hearing.  The first was $18,750 for the City Monetary Gift Fund.  These donations will be used to pay the performers for the Mayor’s Summer of Music concert series.  $69,034 was approved for the Building Department for the electric vehicle grant. This money will be reimbursed once the grant is finalized. 

Another additional appropriation was for the Plymouth Police Department in the amount of $225,000 for the purchase of 3 additional patrol vehicles. Chief Weir explained that there are 11 patrol vehicles in his fleet with over 100,000 miles on them. He said while they have had a regular rotation, during COVID they didn’t purchase any vehicles because they weren’t available.  The chief is wanting to get back into a regular rotation so instead of purchasing 11 through a lease to own contract he opted to purchase 3 additional ones this year and hopes to get 3 additional one’s next year and a couple more in the third year to get back on schedule.

Councilman Dave Morrow noted that since the city now has take-home vehicles, patrol vehicles aren’t running 24/7 so their mileage won’t add up as fast.  Councilman Don Ecker said it was more cost effective to purchase the vehicle outright in the long term than leasing to own. Ecker also suggested looking at a couple of hybrids next year. 

Another additional appropriation was for the Motor Vehicle Highway fund in the amount of $74,454.  This is for the electric vehicle grant and the city will be reimbursed once the grant is finalized. The Park Department asked for $17,200 for the electric vehicle grant and the final request was for the Community Improvement Fund for $5,000.  The clerks explained this request.  She said in 2023 they didn’t anticipate enough funds in the Community Revitalization Rebates Program.  It appears they will spend more than appropriated in this year’s budget. 

The Plymouth City Council unanimously approved the resolution for the additional funds.