Folsom City Council is scheduled to review and likely approve the purchase of five new Ford Explorer vehicles for the Folsom Police Departments, a purchase that just exceeds $300,000 and will improve the department’s fleet of vehicles.
The proposed $330,210, is a draft agreement with Folsom Lake Ford and is part of a strategy outlined in the city’s Service Delivery Plan to replace marked police cars after they reach 75,000 miles.
Currently, the Folsom Police Department operates 12 vehicles that have exceeded this mileage threshold, with 10 of these being marked patrol vehicles. The city originally ordered these five vehicles from Folsom Lake Ford in September 2022; however, production delays due to ongoing supply chain issues postponed their delivery indefinitely. In February 2024, Folsom Lake Ford informed the department that they could provide these vehicles as 2025 models at the fixed price quoted in 2022. Manufacturing is expected to commence in the fall of 2024, according to a city of Folsom staff report issued to council for approval
Nationwide, the availability of vehicles has been significantly impacted by supply chain constraints, especially affecting SUVs typically used in law enforcement. The Ford Motor Company has agreed to maintain the pricing from the original quote, which falls under a State of California contract that ensures the best available pricing for the vehicles.
According to Folsom’s Municipal Code, contracts exceeding $73,209 require approval from the City Council. The city’s code also permits cooperative purchasing agreements, allowing for the acquisition of supplies and equipment through joint contracts with other public procurement units. This approach enables the city to secure the necessary vehicles efficiently.
The Ford Explorer has been recognized as the industry standard for law enforcement since its introduction in 2013, known for its durability and ability to meet the heavy demands of police patrols. By purchasing these five new vehicles, the Folsom Police Department will reduce the number of marked patrol vehicles exceeding 75,000 miles from 10 to five, helping ensure that officers are equipped with reliable transportation.
The funding for this vehicle acquisition was anticipated and allocated in the approved Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Police Budget. Sufficient funds are available in the General Fund for this purchase. Once the new vehicles are in service, the department will dispose of five high-mileage police vehicles following city policy.
The resolution for the purchase will be included in the council’s consent calendar for discussion and approval during the Tuesday meeting.