By Lee Weyhrich
The Pinson City Council last week voted to purchase a new SUV for the city.
The council approved up to $12,000 for the purchase of a vehicle, but no final decision has been made on a specific vehicle.
The council has been discussing the need for a new SUV since storms several months ago severely damaged one of the city’s Chevrolet Tahoes.
“Both of our Tahoes are ailing the least little bit,” Mayor Hoyt Sanders said. “One did suffer a fatal injury not long ago in a storm.”
The answer to the council’s wishes may be a used civilian-model SUV currently owned by the city of Altoona. The vehicle had been used for police work and is in very good shape, Councilman Joe Cochran said. Altoona is asking $11,250 for the vehicle, less than half the price of a new municipal-use vehicle.
Councilman John Churchwell said the city received $6,000 in insurance from the totaled Tahoe. Sanders said additional funds for a vehicle may come from either the city’s miscellaneous road fund, or the 7- and-2-cent gas tax fund.
The council also entered into executive session to discuss real estate, and trade and commerce, which was deemed of a “competitive” nature, Sanders said. After more than 20 minutes in executive session, the council returned, but with no resolution offered. A real estate acquisition may be discussed further at the regularly scheduled council meeting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Pinson City Hall.