A new majority on the East Ridge City Council has asked Public Safety Director Eddie Phillips to stop driving a Cadillac Escalade.

Vice Mayor Jim Bethune said, "We don't need a Cadillac Escalade running the streets."

The longtime car salesman said the seized vehicle is a 2008 with only 40,000 miles. He said it would sell for $25,000-$30,000.

New Councilman Marc Gravitt had first asked about the Cadillac, saying he wants the city to sell as much surplus property as possible.

Mr.

Phillips said the state Department of Safety awarded the Escalade to the East Ridge Police Department in April after it was seized because of a 3DUI offense. He said the owner had wrecked the vehicle and it cost $7,200 to repair.

He stated, "The city was in need of three police vehicles and the decision was made to buy two vehicles and use this Escalade for a cost of $7,200 instead of another new car at $23,000-25,000+.

"The state law (TCA 40-33-211) allows the seizing agency to use the vehicle for police work for five years and then sell the vehicle. Any proceeds of the sale of the vehicle minus our cost to repair has to be sent to the state. So if the city sells the vehicle we would only get the cost of repairs ($7,200) back and all other proceeds must go to the state.

"I am going to recommend to City Council that we keep the vehicle for tactical patrol/crime suppression/drug enforcement duties for five years and get the use of the vehicle instead of selling it and giving the money to the state."

Mr. Phillips told the council he was driving it "because it saved us buying one. We don't care (about keeping it). I'm not emotionally attached to it."

He added, "I'm walking home."