Before the Oxford Village Council potentially commits to purchasing the first-ever Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) for the police department, it wants to see some bids in writing.

“I wouldn’t be comfortable making a decision on a $50,000 vehicle without (having definite) numbers on paper in front of me,” said Councilman Erik Dolan.

Council voted 4-0 to request that Police Chief Mike Solwold return to it with “three hard, firm written quotes” for an SUV and three quotes stating exactly what it will cost to outfit that vehicle based on the agency’s needs.

Solwold relayed to council the information he obtained as he researched the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe.

He found two available through Berger Chevrolet in Grand Rapids – one with standard equipment only for $33,996, which will take 12 to 14 weeks for delivery, and one currently on the lot with some options for $35,314.

Solwold also obtained prices from Hank Graff Chevrolet in Davison ($35,666) and Wally Edgar Chevrolet in Orion Twp. ($39,977).

Cynergy Wireless, of Troy, could outfit the SUV for police work for “around” $12,000, but “that price could go down . . . depending on the (agency’s) needs,” wrote Solwold in a memo to council.

The chief told council that Cynergy Wireless, which has outfitted department vehicles in the past, is a “reputable dealer” that serves 60 agencies, including the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and Auburn Hills Police Department.

He noted Cynergy is willing to knock $400 off the price and “I’m sure as time goes (on) we’re going to find other savings.”

Solwold believes the SUV could be purchased and outfitted for $46,000 or less.

“I will do everything in my power to bring that cost down,” he vowed.

But council wanted to have more detailed information, in writing, to review before taking any action.

“I’d like to be able to say when I made my decision, it wasn’t based on a general not-more-than-this amount,” Dolan noted.

Dolan indicated he was “a little uncomfortable” not having any “specific, to-the-penny quotes” with “comparables” to analyze.

“I don’t have anything concrete in front of me,” he said. “While I do trust what you’re suggesting – I don’t have any question about representation – I don’t have anything directly in front of me that is not going to shift.”

Councilwoman Maureen Helmuth agreed.

“I would also like to see things in writing, only because in the past we’ve bought vehicles and things have been missed,” she said.

Dolan also suggested that Solwold reach out to “higher-volume dealerships” for quotes.

“I would like to see us stray a little further from home to get the best deal possible,” he said.

The village is looking into purchasing an SUV to replace one of its aging, high-mileage patrol cars.

Currently, the agency has two Ford Crown Victorias (a 2008 with 114,000 miles and a 2009 with 124,000 miles), a 2012 Chevy Impala with 73,000 miles, and two Dodge Chargers, a 2013 with 77,000 miles and a 2015 with 35,000 miles.

Referring to the two oldest vehicles with the highest mileage, Helmuth said, “We’re probably lucky they’re still on the road.”

Given this, the councilwoman wondered if the village should explore purchasing a second vehicle as well.

“If we’re buying one, we might as well look at financing a second one and see if there’s a deal out there,” Helmuth said.

“I definitely think we’re in need of probably another vehicle, but I personally wouldn’t want to entertain the purchase at this point,” Dolan responded. “I think it’s something we should look into (during) budget sessions.

“At this point, I think a $50,000 SUV being introduced to the fleet in a singular fashion is more than reasonable.”