The Russellville Police Department vehicle force is improving again after a vote last week by the Russellville City Council.

The council voted unanimously to purchase six 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Explorer vehicles to the tune of $27,313 each from Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln of the Shoals. Long-Lewis matched the state bid.

“This is exciting,” Mayor David Grissom said. “We had been experiencing all kinds of costs maintaining the old vehicles. It was time to make the move. We could buy new ones for what it was costing us to repair the old ones each month.

“We’re thankful to be able to pay for them out of our local funds and not have to borrow any money.”

The council previously approved the purchase of eight new Interceptors in February 2016. With this latest purchase, all of the RPD’s old patrol cars will be replaced.

“We’ve had the other ones since ’05,” Police Chief Chris Hargett said. “It’s been problem after problem, and they’ve gotten to where they are really unsafe to drive … They should have been replaced a long time ago.”

As part of the vote, the council approved the mayor’s recommendation to fund one vehicle from the general fund; a total of $45K from the Star Fund; and the balance from the local gas tax.

Hargett said there will be some additional cost to outfit the vehicles with necessary equipment. The new vehicles should be ready to hit the street in two or three months.

In special recognition, the council approved resolutions in honor of three TVBA youth basketball teams – fifth grade, second grade and first grade boys. Copies of the resolution were presented to each player and their coaches, and Russellville High School head coach Patrick Odom was on hand to congratulate and encourage the young athletes.

“All this is what makes my job a lot easier down the road. I want to tell you guys how proud I am of you,” Odom said. “This is an accomplishment you should be proud of. I believe God calls us to do our best in anything we do. That’s why I love the sport of basketball – because that’s that opportunity we have to do that.”

The council also approved a resolution to apply for the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Grant, which Grissom said will enable developers and business owners to apply for federal and state tax credits and incentives once the downtown area is declared a historic district. NACOLG’s Nathan Willingham alerted the city to the possible grant. The action was supported by the Downtown Redevelopment Committee. “It’s a good thing to help promote the remodeling of downtown,” Grissom said.

The council also:

-accepted the resignation of Chelsea Gentry in the Russellville Police Department.

-declared a vacancy for patrol office in the RPD and authorized advertisement to solicit applications.

-hired Jonathan Steele as firefighter in the Russellville Fire Department.

-appointed Shannon Wilson street superintendent.

-accepted the resignation of Rex Mayfield from the Riverbend Center Board and appointed representatives to fill two vacancies: Tim Guin and Heath Grimes.

-waived the rental fee for the A.W. Todd Centre for Feb. 6, 2018 for the Russellville and Franklin County Bicentennial Committee.