Published: May 03, 2008 12:50 am            

NEW ALBANY: Take-home car concerns surface

Before he votes on a resolution that would approve funding for 10 new police cars, New Albany City Councilman Steve Price wants answers.

Price said he might request tabling the resolution during Monday’s meeting to give the City Council time to explore the proposed expenditure, which totals $700,000 and also includes equipment for the fire and street departments.

Price’s main concern? He takes issue with police officers driving their cars home when it sometimes equals several miles outside city limits. He points to examples of officers living in places such as Corydon, which Price said takes away from the life of a vehicle by making the lengthy drive each day.

“They used to contribute gas money,” Price said. “Now, they just don’t want them to use the vehicles for personal use. To and from work is personal use.”

Having officers contribute to gas expenses if they live beyond a certain point or possibly outside the county is a possibility Price would like to see explored, especially with prices at the pump continuing to soar to record levels.

He said he does not have a problem with officers driving their cars home if they live in New Albany or a few miles outside city limits.

Officers that are on call 24-hours-a-day are allowed to drive their vehicles home, so they can be prepared in case of an emergency. Deputy Mayor and Director of Development said he respects Price’s concern, but feels it is a separate issue to the need for new cars.

“Obviously, fuel is going through the roof; it’s a concern for everybody,” Malysz said. “The fact remains the current fleet has significant age on it. There have not been any replacement vehicles purchased for quite some time.”

The price tag for 10 new cars — which would also include the appropriate equipment for each — is pegged at $250,000. The fire department request totals $300,000, and is for a new communications system that Malysz said is greatly needed.

Two street sweepers totaling $150,000 have been requested by the street department.

Money for the requests would come from Riverboat Fund. In its 2008 budget, the council approved $700,000 for capital-equipment improvements from the funds.

Council President Jeff Gahan said the topic would make for a good work session, where council members could discuss the issue. A work session that will include the equipment requests — as well as thoroughfare plans of the Mayor Doug England administration — is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday in the third floor Assembly Room of the City-County Building.

“I don’t think the council has a hard count on exactly how many cars are leaving the city and county,” Gahan said.

As for the new car requests, Gahan said it is a separate issue from gasoline costs.

“At some point, the police department is going to have to address the rising fuel costs. They may choose to do so the way the last administration has done it or may come up with their own policy,” Gahan said.

Price agreed the gas issue may be separate, but still feels the mileage accumulated from lengthy drives can be a waste by resulting in cars having to be replaced more frequently.

“How is a city vehicle helping the citizens of New Albany who are paying for it if it’s in Corydon?” Price said.

Gahan said he is interested in learning more about the fire department request for new radio equipment, since a previous estimate for the communication system came in at $500,000.

The new request is for $300,000, and the fire department has put in a request for a federal grant that would cover $299,000 of the cost.

“It’s substantially lower, so it appears they are doing their homework,” Gahan said.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.