Sturgis aldermen approve new budget, police car repairs

The Town of Sturgis’ main police car will be getting some much-needed work, following a vote by the town’s board of aldermen, who also approved the town’s fiscal year 2020 budget during the same meeting.

At its meeting Tuesday evening, the board voted to replace the front tires on the town’s police car, following discussion with Sturgis Police Chief Doug Hamilton. Hamilton said the price to replace the tires was approximately $128. Additionally, the board unanimously approved the town’s budget, which is the same as the budget for the previous fiscal year.

The board also approved Hamilton searching for the best price to repair a window on the police car that wouldn’t open, allowing any repair up to $500 to be made. Repairs costing more than $500 will have to be approved by the board.

“We’ll have to get probably a body shop (to work on the window),” Hamilton said.

Some members of the board also discussed the possibility of purchasing a new police car for Sturgis, although no action was taken on the matter.

He discussed some issues with the town’s second police car, which is out of commission after water got into its engine, among other mechanical issues.

“The (mechanic) in Longview said the transmission was going out on it, too,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton said the damaged vehicle was currently listed for sale as government surplus.

Members of the board suggested the idea of putting funds from the older vehicle and other sources toward a new police car once the older car sells.

Sturgis Mayor Billy Blankenship was unable to attend the meeting.