It has only been one week since Metro Council voted on the mayor’s budget proposal, but some city leaders are already looking ahead to next year.
The Channel 4 I-Team has learned some council members are asking for $500,000 for new police motorcycles. On top of that, there are other requests that have some asking if your money is being spent wisely.
The items would be paid for with taxpayer dollars.
The I-Team has been talking with council members to find out exactly where taxpayers’ money is going. After hearing of the $500,000 for new motorcycles, the I-Team began asking when the last time they were replaced and how many miles were on them.
With so many needs throughout the city, the I-Team wanted to find out if new motorcycles and other pieces of equipment are necessary right now and at what price.
With dozens of motorcycles in his repair shop, Andrew Duthie works on one bike after another. He’s the first to say he knows a thing or two about motorcycles.
Duthie said there are many things to consider when it comes to mileage and how much is too much.
“Is the bike used on a regular basis? Is it used on the highway, the city, and does someone actually keep up the maintenance?” Duthie said.
The I-Team went to his shop after learning Councilman Doug Pardue, a retired police sergeant, wants as many as 20 new motorcycles for the Metro Nashville Police Department. Each one carries a price tag of about $25,000.
But the I-Team found out nearly half of them have less than 35,000 miles on them.
Duthie said with that kind of a number, they should be able to last longer.
“A motorcycle like this, which is very similar to police cruisers, could go more than 100,000 miles? Handle more than that?” Channel 4’s Lindsay Bramson asked.
“Absolutely,” Duthie said.
But Councilman Steve Glover disagrees. He (continue reading at WSMV)