Council OKs vehicle purchase

Orland is trading in a former undercover vehicle for a newer car to be used by the police chief.

City council members approved a salvage request last week to dispose of a 2006 Pontiac sedan that has been sitting in the department's back lot for more than a year.

Police Chief Paula Carr asked for council approval March 1 since the Pontiac had "lost all anonymity for use in undercover activity," she said.

It also has problems with its steering mechanism that would be costly to repair and makes it unsuitable for patrol usage, Carr said. All equipment belonging to the department has been removed.

The car had been used by the city's officer assigned to the narcotics task force, but he was reassigned to routine patrol after funding was lost, officials said.

Orland police is trading the Pontiac in to R&R Sales of Orland for a 2009 Ford Fusion for Carr's use as an administrative vehicle.

The auto dealer is allowing $7,000 in trade on the Pontiac, leaving a $5,761.59 balance on the purchase price of $12,349.34, Carr said. The Fusion sedan currently has 36,000 miles.

She said R&R is selling the Ford to the city at cost, and its suggested Kelley Blue Book retail value is $17,420 and wholesale value is $14,400.

The council agreed this was a reasonable move when it voted on the item and moved forward with it.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.