Eight aging Kinston police vehicles could be replaced under $497,901 proposal
The Kinston City Council will consider spending $497,901 to purchase and equip eight replacement vehicles for the Kinston Police Department during its meeting Tuesday.
The proposed purchase includes six 2026 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles and two 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup trucks.
The six Ford vehicles would cost $43,880.35 each, for a total of $263,282.10. Two Chevrolet trucks would cost $53,055 and $52,482.
Taxes, tags and other charges bring the total vehicle purchase to $382,901, according to a memorandum from Police Chief Keith Goyette. An additional $115,000 would be used to install police equipment in the eight vehicles, bringing the total project cost to $497,901.
Neuse Vehicle Maintenance LLC of Kinston would perform the equipment installation.
The six Ford vehicles would be marked patrol units featuring KPD’s traditional black-and-white design. The two pickup trucks would be unmarked and assigned to the department’s Administration Division.
The vehicles would replace eight police vehicles that range from 13 to 19 years old. The retiring vehicles have between 135,555 and 200,729 miles.
The oldest vehicles include a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria with 180,855 miles and a 2007 Dodge Charger with 147,787 miles. The vehicle with the highest mileage is a 2008 Chevrolet Impala with 200,729 miles.
Other vehicles scheduled for replacement include five Dodge Chargers manufactured between 2008 and 2013.
Goyette said the vehicles being replaced have either been damaged beyond repair or need to be removed from service.
Funding for the replacements was included in the city’s adopted fiscal year 2026-27 budget. Council is being asked to authorize the specific purchases and allow the city manager to proceed with the purchase orders and equipment installation.
The department expects delivery to take between one week and two months. The vehicles would still need to be equipped for police use after delivery.
The agenda packet does not state what the city plans to do with the eight retiring vehicles or whether any of them will be sold at auction.
The Kinston City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at City Hall, 207 E. King St. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel, @thecityofkinston.
