East Grand Forks City Council Hears Options For Replacing Vehicle In East Grand Forks Police Department Fleet

(KNOX) – The East Grand Forks City Council on Tuesday discussed what could be some options for getting rid of a vehicle in the East Grand Forks Police Department fleet. The council also looked at a new rating system that helps determine good options to replace a vehicle.

City Administrator Reid Huttunen and Police Chief Mike Hedlund showed findings of the city’s vehicle replacement policy committee regarding a 2019 Ford Police Interceptor pickup truck that is currently in the fleet. The policy hasn’t been finalized yet, but vehicles are to be ranked based on specific criteria to determine if they are worth replacing. Huttunen said Tuesday.

Hedlund would like to purchase a 2027 Ford Police Interceptor SUV to replace the 2019 F-150. The vehicle is quoted at $45,442, and an earlier quote for replacement parts and equipment for the new vehicle was around $23,363. It would cost nearly $70,000 including a $1,000 for vehicle striping with these estimates.

$65,000 was included in the city’s 2026 budget for a new SUV, and Hedlund says the department has some money to possibly help with the cost of the new vehicle when it sold three old squad cars.

If a new vehicle is purchased this year, the police department would end up removing one vehicle from its 2027 request.

The 2019 pickup needs repairs that would end up costing $6,000, and Huttenen says that the trade in values for the pickup could vary.

The Parks and Recreation Department or the Public Works Department could then end up selling one of their current vehicles if a replacement is acquired. Hedlund also said that Public Works Director Jason Stordahl is promising the police department will be able to use his department’s pickups if they need to haul any items.