By Jennifer Eisenbart
EDITOR
The City of Burlington Common Council appears to have reached a general consensus on what would be an appropriate new vehicle for City Building Inspector Pat Scherrer.
Although, technically, it won’t be new.
In Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, the Council tentatively agreed spending up to $15,000 on a used sport utility vehicle.
Scherrer’s current vehicle, a retired police squad car, is in need of major repairs, and city staff wanted to replace it with a new SUV. However, the council voted down that idea two weeks ago and asked City Administrator Kevin Lahner to come back with a different proposal.
The up-to amount proposed was accompanied by three examples, which were met with various degrees of approval – mostly because of the quality of the vehicle in question. Alderman Peter Hintz did point out that the vehicles shown in the packet varied from above average rating to below average, and Lahner pointed out they had been included as examples.
The council also joked regarding a Segway that had been included in the packet.
Alderman Bob Prailes also asked about using the soon-to-be-retired Crown Victoria the police department owns, but was told it needed a new transmission.
“So that would cost us $4,000 to $6,000 to fix that up,” Prailes said. Police Chief Peter Nimmer added, “And that’s just the transmission.”
Alderman Ed Johnson thanked city staff for coming back with an option that would end up saving the city between $8,000 and $15,000.
“Thank you for doing this,” said Johnson.
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Transmission for this Crown Victoria that the police are getting rid of was quoted by a local auto repair shop at approx $3000 to install with a 3yr warranty! Not sure where the $4000 to $6000 number came from……….
Responsible purchasing by our city leaders. The school board could learn a thing or two from the Common Council!
Yes, BASD should purchase vehicles for teachers that are required to travel for their teaching assignments. Like music or art teachers that have to teach in multiple buildings each day. Peter Smet should also be given a vehicle to drive amongst all the buildings in the district.
Good idea ‘on Rye’, I am sure that most of the traveling teachers would be happy with a used squad car to travel between worksites in the district, and also taking the car home as the building inspector does. Talking to Pat Scherrer in person he states he don’t need nor want a new fancy vehicle to do his job, but the city administration keeps pushing different vehicles on him. He stated he would be happy with the soon to be retired squad car, which would save the city tens of thousands even after the replacement of the faulty transmission. So Ham, how fiscally responsible is your common council now with some ‘insider’ information!? Informed decisions require looking and digging for the information that is needed to make the decision!
Excellent comparison by on rye. Responsible spending doesn’t exist period in this town nor does leadership unless it lining their own pockets. What is next limos and mileage reimbursement for these city people? Spending on themselves has exploded. Fire them and their huge salaries ruining this once nice place to live.