OILTON — A dispute over police vehicle repairs will be reviewed by the City of Oilton attorney following an unanimous vote from the city council members.
During the April 14 meeting, the city council members discussed invoices from Crown Auto World connected to a police vehicle that staff say was returned in worse condition then when it was taken for repair. City Clerk Shannon Wilson said the combined, disputed invoices totaled $2,225 — one for $1,945 and another for $280. She added there was an additional towing charge of nearly $380 incurred that was not included in the invoice totals.
According to Wilson, the invoices state that repairs were completed and that the vehicle was tested and running. However, when the department received the car back, the engine had not been reassembled and the vehicle would not run.
“Nothing in this invoice of the work that was supposed to be done was done to this vehicle. So, I have an outstanding invoice,” said City Clerk Shannon Wilson. “They said the car was fixed and the car was running. Well, the car had to be towed back — the car is not running.”
Oilton Police Chief Cameron Williams reiterated the same sentiment saying that the engine was not fully assembled upon return.
Council member Bessie Mattalino questioned how the vehicle could have been listed as operational on the invoice if the engine was not assembled.
“Yet the engine isn’t together, so how is it running?” Mattalino said. “And why did it have to be towed back?”
Wilson asked the council for direction on how to proceed — noting that the city attorney had already been informed of the issue. Mayor Julia Bagwell said she had contacted the repair shop and was told the city was responsible for paying the bill.
“I have a hard time paying a $2,000 bill for a car that was running when we dropped it off and it’s no longer running, and pieces are missing,” she said.
Following discussion, officials ultimately decided to have the city attorney review the bill and potentially pursue legal action regarding the disputed charges. The motion passed with unanimous approval.