Council approves purchase for two cruisers

Starting up the first police department in Aledo’s proud history is a long, arduous journey. On Thursday, Nov. 7, the city council took a significant step in that journey by approving the purchase of two new police cruisers.

The council gave City Manager Noah Simon permission to complete the purchase of two Dodge Durango police pursuit vehicles at a purchase price of $45,000 each. Once the transaction is complete, the new cruisers will be sent to Defender Supply in Argyle, where they will be transformed into true police patrol vehicles ready to hit the streets of Aledo. 

Simon noted that as the city continues to take the necessary steps to starting up the new police department, they are rapidly approaching the juncture in which they will have to pass a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) inspection. A critical criteria of passing that inspection is the city having at least one patrol vehicle on the ready when the inspection takes place.

Councilman Shane Davis proposed the council approve the resolution. Councilwoman Shawna Ford seconded the motion to put the measure before the council for a vote. 

The council unanimously approved the measure, permitting Simon to complete the purchase of the cruisers.

Delivery for the patrol vehicles is expected in January 2025. However, Simon said he plans to request Defender Supply complete the modifications to one vehicle as soon as possible to ensure delivery before the potential TCOLE inspection.

Well, there’s no water

A resolution was brought to the council seeking approval to decommission water well No. 2. The City of Aledo has four water wells in the event that there is a significant water shortage. 

However, the wells are old. Two of the four wells have undergone improvements with funds the council approved last fiscal year. 

In the case of water well No. 2, the well is no longer productive. As wells age, it is common that they deteriorate, or the source feeding the well dries up. 

In this case, the cost associated with maintaining the well in its present state isn’t worth spending since the well does not produce water any longer. 

The council voted unanimously to spend the funds to have the well decommissioned, eliminating the liability and cost associated with its maintenance.