Colfax chief lists squad car woes

At the Sept. 3 city council session, Police Chief Rick McNannay reported the department now has two operating squad cars, and they have reached a point where the number of officers on duty can sometimes be more than the number of vehicles available.

The city has a 2013 Ford Taurus which has been sidelined at Pullman for weeks with what is believed to be a failed engine. McNannay said estimates to repair the car have ranged from $4,600 to $11,600, depending on what approach the city takes to get the car back on the road.

The chief said the ideal size of the department's fleet would be four vehicles. He added another option could be the purchase of a Chevrolet Trailblazer which is expected to soon be declared surplus by the sheriff's department.

McNannay noted he is also studying possibly leasing squad cars. Many departments around the state now use the lease approach, he noted.

Cost of getting the Taurus back on the road will require an amendment for the department's 2019 budget which is already running a deficit.

Council members endorsed whatever approach McNannay decided to take.