City opens quotes for police vehicles

Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Plymouth Police Chief John Weir and City Attorney Jeff Houin presented quotes from three vendors for six patrol vehicles during the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting on February 24.

During the January 27 meeting, the chief opened quotes from Oliver Ford in Plymouth for 2025 Hybrid Inceptors at $46,822, with an option for front ballistic doors at an additional $2,980 for each vehicle. Kelly Chevrolet from Fort Wayne also quoted 2025 Tahoes at $52,160. The quotes were taken under advisement.

During the February 10 meeting, Chief Weir recommended purchasing three Hybrid Interceptors and three Tahoes. Oliver Ford then provided a quote for a gas 3.3 V6 Utility Interceptor, which was about $2,000 less than a hybrid. With this new information, the board decided to reject all the quotes.

So, Monday night, Oliver Ford quoted $44,694 gas-powered Ford Explorer Interceptors with optional bulletproof front doors for $2,980. Lochmandy Chevy of Bremen quoted $55,910 for the Tahoes, and Lochmandy Ford of Knox quoted $49,500 for gas-powered Ford Explorers Interceptors with ballistic doors. Auto Park Ford in Bremen quoted the Explorers with ballistic doors at $46,279.

During the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, there was some confusion between council members and the police chief on what he was to get quotes for. Councilman Dave Morrow said he wanted quotes for both the hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles so they could compare both and the chief said you rejected the hybrid quotes at the last meeting.

Kelly Chevrolet had the lowest quote on the Tahoes during the last meeting but that quote was rejected with the Ford hybrids and the new quote opened Monday from Lochmandy was higher. The city attorney explained the previous quotes could not be considered and if the council wanted to compare hybrid and gasoline Fords then the new quotes would be rejected, and the chief would have to go through the quote process for the third time.

Mayor Listenberger said the police chief wants to purchase six vehicles, 2 Tahoes, 2 Explorers, and 2 hybrids. He said the Explorer quotes from Oliver Ford were good and he could make that purchase.

The city attorney recommended taking the bids under advisement noting they were complicated to quickly read and understand and have Chief Weir return in March with a recommendation. The Board of Public Works agreed.