Production shortage prompts Duluth to purchase 10 police vehicles

Duluth purchases police vehicles each year using SPLOST public safety funds. Currently, the annual allocation is $540,000, used in three installments of $180,000 to spread out the vehicle and equipment purchase over the fiscal year.

According to Duluth Assistant City Manager Ken Sakmar, car makers are beginning to cut production due to a chip production shortage while semiconductor makers continue to recover from the pandemic.

The Duluth police department has located 10 police vehicles they want to purchase before production cuts limit the availability of new police vehicles.