City officials are looking to donate three surplus vehicles to a corrections facility and a local high school to help law enforcement personnel with their duties and students pursuing automotive careers.
The matter will come before the Ocala City Council during its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7, at 4 p.m. at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).
According to city records, Vanguard High School and the Florida Department of Corrections are both seeking donations of surplus vehicles from the city.
Vanguard is hoping to receive one 2014 Ford Taurus that has just over 83,000 miles. According to city records, the “interceptor sedan” is valued at $6,458. The school says it will use the donation to give students in the automotive program “hands-on training experience” and help them in their pursuit of a career in the automotive industry.
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) Office of Inspector General is hoping to receive similar vehicles – a 2014 Ford Taurus with 102,296 miles and a 2014 Ford Taurus with 126,256 miles – to cope with “budget constraints” in its Bureau of State Investigations Unit.
The two vehicles are valued at $14,080, according to city records.
“As with most agencies, we have been provided limited resources to purchase vehicles. The donation of any vehicles will help to ensure the inspectors have the equipment necessary to complete their duties,” reads a letter from inspector Jose Nunes, who represents the inspector general office at Lowell Correctional Institution.
All of the vehicles are “no longer suitable for frontline use,” according to city staff.
The Ocala City Council regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).