Kalamazoo Township trustees postponed a $53,745 vehicle purchase from opioid settlement funds after questioning whether it should be the money’s first use.
What was proposed
The Police Department requested the funds to purchase a truck used primarily to transport seized opioids and other evidence, including firearms, from the department to disposal sites. Officials said the township currently relies on an administrative vehicle for these runs, which raises liability concerns given the nature of what’s being transported. According to the Superintendent, transport trips occur at least monthly.
Why the board held off
Trustees said this would be the first significant expenditure from the township’s opioid settlement fund and asked whether a vehicle purchase should be the priority before a broader spending plan is in place. Board members noted that committing over half of the fund to one purchase would leave a smaller balance without a clear strategy for the rest.
Alternatives raised during discussion included purchasing a used vehicle, absorbing the need into the existing fleet, and partnering with other local agencies that handle similar transport needs to avoid duplicating efforts. No specific alternative was adopted.
What happens next
No motion was voted on. The board asked staff to bring additional information to the next work session, including how often transport runs occur and what volume of material is typically involved, before revisiting the purchase.
The Police Department’s request cited restrictions on how opioid settlement funds can be used, limiting them to opioid-related purposes. The board did not set a specific date for the item to return.
