Lieutenant Brent Slade asks Mayor Shon Harris and the Yuba City Council to approve more than $400,000 for four police vehicles, which must be ordered now for a timely 2025 delivery. Photo Courtesy of the Territorial Dispatch

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Four police fleet vehicles totaling more than $400,000 are approved.   

On Aug, 20, Mayor Shon Harris and the Yuba City Council authorized the purchase of Four Chevrolet Tahoe Pursuit Vehicles totaling $404,000. Lt. Brent Slade told officials the acquisition aims to enhance the fleet's operational capability to better serve the community. 

Slade gave a three-point rationale for the four vehicles totaling what they did: increased demand, operational efficiency, and safety and reliability. 

The lieutenant said the cost breakdown per vehicle includes another $101,000 for Cop Shop Installations and almost $39,000 for four Sutter Buttes Communication radios.   

The new dual-band radios allow officers to switch channels easier for mutual aid in neighboring counties, making it a "big safety feature," according to Slade. 

Officials must purchase the four vehicles for 2025 now, according to Slade, who noted increased demand and post-Covid supply chain issues. 

"Just for council's knowledge, we ordered 10 vehicles last year, and we still do not have one single vehicle on the road yet," Slade said, noting they received three of the 10.

Two vehicles await graphics, and the third is still under construction. Slade told officials time is of the essence. 

"The reason we are seeing the four vehicles currently is because each year Chevy controls when they allocate vehicles," Slade said. "We don't act on this year's allocations for next year's model for 2025, then we have to wait another full year before we can order a vehicle. "

Regarding operational efficiency, the new Chevy Tahoe will provide better fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and improved performance, according to Slade, who said high ratings also confirm the security and reliability of the vehicle contract awarded to Winner Chevrolet, Sacramento. 

"They are equipped with modern safety features and are well suited for the demanding conditions of the police department," Slade said. 

Why Winner Chevrolet? 

"At the direction of the council last year we opted to contract an organization, which is Winner Chevrolet," Slade said. "They specialize in the Chevrolet Tahoe vehicle, and there is a state contract for vehicle procurements, which offers overall cost savings."

Last year, Slade said they had a bid upwards of $10,000 more per vehicle, which is why the department "opted to use them again." 

Why Cop Shop Installations?

"Traditionally, they have been the cheapest because their labor rates are the cheapest," Slade said, noting competing companies are also not near. 

Slade gave three options after his presentation: do not purchase the four vehicles, but if approved, seek another installation company, and not buy the dual-band radios.

Councilmember Michael Pasquale asked if the four new APX 8500 all-band radios would be the only of its kind in the department if purchased. 

Answer: yes.

"The goal is as we start to switch over into new vehicles from this point on, regarding the mobile radios in the vehicle is to ask for these radios each time," Slade said, noting funding now supports half of the officers having portable radios, but only granted enough to do half of that.

"So, the officers will have portables that have all-band capabilities, and then as we slowly start to replace vehicles, we will replace them with these radios," Slade said, followed by Councilmember Wade Kircher motioning the item forward, awarding the police a safer fleet of vehicles and radio communications.