Chelsea Approves Purchase of New Police Vehicle

City Council greenlights $65K for 2026 Ford Explorer to replace aging patrol car.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a police vehicle key fob against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the critical equipment needed for law enforcement.The purchase of a new police vehicle will ensure the Chelsea Police Department has the necessary equipment to protect and serve the community.Chelsea Today

The Chelsea City Council has approved the purchase of a new 2026 Ford Explorer police vehicle for the Chelsea Police Department, replacing an aging patrol car with high mileage and ongoing transmission issues. The $65,000 purchase, including emergency equipment, was not originally budgeted but was made possible through budget adjustments by the city's finance director.

Why it matters

Maintaining a reliable and up-to-date police fleet is crucial for the Chelsea Police Department to effectively serve and protect the community. This purchase will ensure the department has the necessary vehicles to respond to emergencies and carry out patrols.

The details

The current police vehicle being replaced was deemed 'not cost effective' to repair due to its high mileage and transmission problems. While the damaged vehicle will be auctioned off, the proceeds will go back into the city's general fund. The new Ford Explorer will cost $47,105 for the initial purchase, plus an additional $18,206 for emergency equipment fittings. The City Council unanimously approved the vehicle purchase.

  • The Chelsea City Council approved the new police vehicle purchase at a special meeting on April 6, 2026.
  • The current police vehicle being replaced was discussed at the Council's March 23, 2026 meeting, where budget adjustments were made to secure funding for the new purchase.

The players

Chelsea Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for serving and protecting the city of Chelsea, Michigan.

Kevin Kazyak

The Police Chief of the Chelsea Police Department.

Chelsea City Council

The governing body of the city of Chelsea that approved the purchase of the new police vehicle.

Watkins

The Finance Director for the city of Chelsea who made budget adjustments to secure funding for the new police vehicle.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This was not a budgeted item in the 2025-2026 budget, but at the March 23 Council meeting, Finance Director Watkins made some budget adjustments and was able to secure the funds for this purchase.”

— Kevin Kazyak, Police Chief

“It probably won't get a great amount, but it does have some part value. A lot of the different companies out there that utilize those for whatever they're using it for look for those parts. So it will go up onto the state public auction site, and then any proceeds from the sale of that will go back into the general fund.”

— Kevin Kazyak, Police Chief

What’s next

The damaged police vehicle being replaced will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going back into the city's general fund.

The takeaway

This purchase highlights the importance of maintaining a reliable and up-to-date police fleet to ensure the Chelsea Police Department can effectively serve the community. By securing additional funding through budget adjustments, the City Council was able to approve this necessary vehicle replacement.