(2/6/2019) - More than a dozen new vehicles could be coming to first responders in one mid-Michigan city.
The Flint City finance committee approved new police cruisers and a highly equipped fire truck.
The city is looking to have these cruisers and fire truck sometime this year.
Flint police have been waiting for some new cruisers for a while now.
Back in November of 2017, there was a mystery donor who promised 40 police cars to the city.
Councilman Santino Guerra says that promise was never fulfilled.
Guerra says after being on a tour at the police department the city is in desperate need of new cruisers.
The cruisers had holes in the bottom of them; the seats were covered in duct tape; the computer systems were tied together by zip ties. So, these 18 new cruisers that will be coming in staggered are going to be great for the Flint Police Department and the residents they are here to serve,” Guerra said.
The cost to purchase the 18 police vehicles is going to cost the city $504,376, and the fire truck would cost $998,304.
This new truck is coming equipped with an aerial platform.
Chief Financial Officer Hughey Newsome says these items are being purchased indirectly through the general fund and other mileages that support the police.
I think the most important thing your constituents need to know that they are in the budget and they apart of the replacement schedule that has been assumed in the budget and the police department definitely needs them,” Newsome said.
The city council meeting is scheduled for next Monday.
That's when they'll vote on the measure and expected to move forward to putting these vehicles on the streets.