The Indianola Police Department will have to wait a bit longer for the purchase of a transport van the department requested over a month ago.
During Monday’s board meeting, Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder brought up a concern about the claims docket involving the purchase of the 2024 16-passenger van.
IPD Chief Ronald Sampson has proposed that some of the remaining funds from last year’s legislative appropriation for new police vehicles be used for the purchase. That account has about $136,000 currently.
The van would be used in part to make the transport of prisoners to and from court more efficient. Sampson said that using multiple on-duty officers is tying up the officers and their vehicles and taking them away from patrols.
“On this claim docket,” Elder said, “I have a serious question on that Transit van. You (Stephanie Washington, the city’s Financial Advisor) were supposed to have gotten back with the board so we could know exactly where the funds are going to come from. Did you ever find out?”
Elder said that he is trying to make sure the board complies with spending laws.
Washington said, “We have with the House Bill. I did submit reports that were due. For the time being, we were going to take it out of funds 001... We were going to take it out of the budget under 001215, because right now, we cannot spend that money on anything.”
Elder asked Washington if she knew the available balance of the police department’s budget.
Elder said, “The reason I am asking is because, if I am not mistaken, I think the balance is zero. You may want to look at that. That is why I want to put a pause on that claims docket, because right now, if we do what you are saying, we are going to have a problem, and that’s why I flagged it on that claims docket until you can get that clear.”
Ward 2 Alderman Darrell Simpson told the board the funds were allocated last year, and the board voted several meetings ago to allow the police department to purchase the transit van.
“We voted several meetings ago to go ahead and let them buy the van. You can’t use that money for anything else. It doesn’t matter what our budget says,” Simpson said.
The main question with the legislative funds is whether the transit van is an allowable expense.
Elder told the board he believes it would be wise to get some clarity.
Mayor Ken Featherstone said, “Ms. Washington if you could confirm everything for us, we would appreciate it.”
The board approved to table the item until they have more clarity on how to spend funds.
