BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Playback58@gmail.com

 

WINDSOR—The Windsor Town Council on Tuesday voted 4-2 against buying an $18,500 car for employee use.

Voting against were Councilmen N. Macon Edwards III, Wesley Garris, Durwood Scott and Clint Bryant. Supporting the measure were Patty Fleming and Greg Willis.

The Dodge Intrepid that Planning and Zoning Director Dennis Carney has been using is unreliable, Town Manager Mike Stallings said. A former police car, it has about 100,000 miles.

“I feel that it is in our best interest to replace this vehicle now rather than waiting until next fiscal year,” said Stallings.

He proposed buying a Ford Fusion with money on hand.

Edwards suggested paying Carney 55 cents a mile to use his own vehicle instead of getting a new car. That’s currently being done, Stallings said.

Garris agreed that paying mileage was more economical. Fleming suggested leasing, but Stallings replied that money would still need to be taken from the budget.

“Guidelines are needed,” Edwards said about who could use the car and when.

Stallings recommended the vehicle would be available for all employees who have conferences or meetings.