04/02/2026
We’ve stirred the pot enough with our little April Fools' Joke yesterday, so we want to provide some factual information to our followers & community today.
First and foremost, our goal is always to be responsible with public resources while ensuring our officers have safe, reliable equipment to do their jobs.
Let’s talk numbers:
A new police-ready Chevy Silverado (fully outfitted for service) currently starts around $74,000–$75,000+ before additional costs (see graphics below with 3 price quotes).
By comparison, our 3 Tesla units, even fully equipped for patrol or K9 use, fall within a similar or lower total investment range depending on the model, package, and configuration. Please see our transparent breakdown of our expenses (on the attached graphics), per Tesla purchase, to fully understand what these vehicles actually cost.
Where the real difference comes in is long-term cost:
Traditional gas vehicles in our fleet typically last 4–6 years depending on use
Our Teslas come with an 8-year warranty, including the battery
Fuel and maintenance costs are significantly reduced
In fact, based on our actual department data (graphic included):
2024 police vehicle expenses (no Teslas fully deployed): $68,374.60
2025 police vehicle expenses (partial Tesla deployment): $51,937.79
2026 police projected vehicle expenses: $32,582.24
That’s a projected savings of:
$19,355.55 vs. 2025
$35,792.36 since 2024
Another important piece:
These vehicles were purchased using TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds.
In simple terms, that means these dollars are generated from new development and growth...not directly from existing taxpayers’ pockets. By using TIF funds for these purchases, we are helping reduce the burden on the general budget that does impact residents.
We understand that new approaches can raise questions, and we welcome those conversations.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to explain, answer questions, and continue working toward decisions that serve both our officers and our community in a responsible way.
