Davison Twp. police saving money by leasing new vehicles

DAVISON TWP., Mich. (WNEM) – A mid-Michigan police department is getting new patrol cars while also saving money.

The Davison Township Board of Trustees signed off on a new contract to lease new police vehicles, instead of buying them.

The Davison Township Police Department expects to save hundreds of thousands of dollars through this new partnership.

“Typically, we budget for two cars a year and we would buy two whatever patrol car is available for us, but we really like the Taho,” said Police Chief Jay Rendon.

But now, two new vehicles will be eight.

The Davison Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a contract with Enterprise to lease new police vehicles instead of purchasing them.

“I think it’s gonna be a great move. Anytime you get a chance to get newer vehicles, you know, it brings better attitudes, people are happier,” Rendon said.

He said this plan will save a significant amount of money.

“So brand new vehicle off the line is $56,000. We buy two of those, that puts us at $112,000, $18,000 a piece to upfit those. So we’re in the neighborhood of $150,000 for two vehicles, and that’s just outright buying those. So, with Enterprise, we can lease eight brand new ones and get them all at the same time for $112,000 a year,” he explained.

And it will be easier to get the cars they need when they need them.

“Right now with the availability in Michigan, it’s about zero for police cars. They only build so many, and General Motors gives you a window in which to get your order in. So, if you don’t have an order in, you may not anticipate that you need a car and something happens and now you need that car, you’re out of luck until the next window opens,” Rendon said. “With Enterprise, they work nationwide so we can say we need four Tahos, and ours, as a matter of fact, will be coming from Pennsylvania because Pennsylvania had four Tahos available.”

Rendon said they’ll also be able to keep their cars in better shape.

“With your mileage, Enterprise will track that and then give us alerts that, ‘Hey, this car’s coming up on an oil change, this car needs this certain maintenance,’ kind of a schedule like that,” he said.

And Rendon said renting instead of buying will create a win-win for both parties.

“You know, your equipment is reliable and you certainly look good to the public. You’re not driving a car that’s, you know, got rust holes in the side and people gotta jump start it to get it going,” he said.

This leasing partnership is expected to last for the next five years.

Rendon also said the department is expecting their first car, an undercover one, will come in within the next few weeks.

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