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Rogue River police will lease-purchase two cars ROGUE RIVER - The City Council has approved the lease-purchase of two new fully-equipped Dodge Intrepids to replace aging and unreliable police cars. Lewis had asked for three new vehicles for his department, saying that rotating them would save money in the long run by extending their usefulness. Although Lewis received only two of his requested "fresh horses," he said he is pleased with the council's decision. "I'm happy with the two cars," he said. "I appreciate the council's decision and I know it has not been an easy thing for them to decide, especially in these financial times." City Administrator Mark Reagles said the two vehicles should be delivered in June or July. "The two-car purchase makes sound fiscal sense and gives us an opportunity to see how the lease program is going to work for the city," Reagles said. Once the new vehicles are delivered, the police department will remove the two older, unreliable vehicles from rotation. A state-leased Chevy will be returned to the state. An older Ford with more than 100,000 miles will be auctioned off and the money from its sale will be returned to the budget. The newer Ford will remain in rotation as the fleet's third vehicle, although it will be placed in the less-active dayshift rotation in order to prolong its operating life. Lewis said once the remaining Ford reaches higher mileage, he hopes to sell it and turn the money over into a new lease on another Intrepid. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.