Sunday, May 18, 2003
The safety-service director said he won't sign a purchase order for the cars.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The police department will have to wait for new cruisers.
An appropriation designating the amount and account from which the estimated $120,000 would come wasn't included in an ordinance on council's agenda Wednesday.
The deadline is Friday to order the cruisers through state purchasing for $23,826 each.
Mayor Hank Angelo said he and some department heads learned earlier Wednesday that even if the cruisers were ordered by the deadline, the chances are slim there would be cars available for the city.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos said there are dealers with cruisers available. The closest is in Dayton.
Angelo said he and Auditor David Griffing are against buying cruisers with general fund money. He has suggested the police department use some of its $397,000 in federal forfeiture funds to buy them.
Mandopoulos opposes that plan.
"There are several training schools that are very expensive that we'd like to send officers to out of state," the chief said. "We're the only department in the state that I know of that has been using federal money for safety equipment."
Mandopoulos contends it's up to the police department to determine how federal forfeiture money is spent; it can't be dictated by council or the administration.
Here's the situation
After a straw poll of council members indicated the appropriation ordinance would fail, its sponsor, Robert A. Marchese, D-at large, said he may call for a special council meeting later this week to consider it.
Law Director Greg Hicks pointed out that an appropriation sets a dollar amount, but it doesn't authorize a purchase. An appropriation is a first step, but a purchase order must be completed and signed for it to occur.
"That's an administrative matter from that point on," Hicks said.
Safety-service director Fred Harris said after the meeting he won't sign a purchase order for the cruisers. Harris said he is awaiting an opinion from the law department about who determines how federal forfeiture money is spent.
Angelo announced that a North Canton candy company will move into Warren Commerce Park. The Cluster Candy Co. is leasing a building and will employ 10 to 15 to start.
Michael D. Keys, community development director, expects the company to hire by September.