MEIGS — Meigs police vehicles took the front seat at the Meigs City Council meeting Monday night.

Meigs Police Chief Darrell Laster sought an additional vehicle for the small Thomas County town’s law enforcement.

“We need another car to hire another officer,” Laster said, also noting the additional officer would be part-time.

Laster also noted a $24,600 expenditure for the additional patrol car. The vehicle, if a new officer is hired, would not be a take-home vehicle, the police chief added.

A estimate of $35,000, once lights were put on the vehicle, also was discussed.

Council member Tommy White said he was in favor of another officer but not another vehicle.

“I think we just need to table this for a while.” he said.

City attorney Tom Lehman said a police car could be purchased with special purpose local option sales tax funds, and also noted looking at the fiscal year 2018 budget for a vehicle purchase.

“That would be my suggestion,” he said.

The goal for the Meigs Police Department, Laster said, is to become 24/7, and eventually, state-certified.

Council member Jimmy Layton expressed concerns with the police force’s marked vehicles, noting one of the vehicles is marked differently than the other two in the department’s fleet.

“I looked at it and I think it looks OK,” said Dorothy Wimes, another council member.

Meigs Mayor Cheryl Walters said one of the vehicle’s markings is “extremely reflective” at night, more so than the other two vehicles.

Meigs city officials did not take official action on purchasing a new vehicle. The city council also did not take action on the markings on the police vehicles.

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.