Keokuk, IA – Several departments are requesting new or used vehicles in the FY11 budget. The list includes multiple police cars and trucks for the streets department.
The discussion prompted a call for a fleet committee. Mayor Tom Marion says he plans to appoint 3-4 aldermen to the new panel over the next few days.
Marion says the committee will track the city's current fleet and develop a vehicle replacement schedule.
"We don't have any type of reserve or money set back to replace vehicles on an emergency basis," says Marion, "so it is really to put some money aside and to anticipate future needs."
The committee could also look at insurance costs and whether there are city vehicles that could be sold.
At Large Alderman Zane Zirkel says there is a computer program available that could track all this information. He says it could be a minimal fee compared to the information that is compiled for the city.
Zirkel also wants each department head to fill out a vehicle information list so the city does not have to rely on old fleet data.
The Keokuk City Council could make a final decision on the current budget requests on Saturday, February 6.