MASON CITY — The Mason City Police Department is asking City Council on July 7, 2026, to approve the purchase of three new police interceptor vehicles and a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle, adding to a public-safety fleet that already includes specialized equipment for dangerous incidents, tactical operations, floods and other emergencies.
The items are listed on the City Council agenda as two separate resolutions recommended for approval by the city administrator.
One resolution would approve the purchase of three 2026 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles from Pritchard Ford of Clear Lake. According to a June 30 memo from Police Chief Mike McKelvey to City Administrator Aaron Burnett, the department recommends buying the three vehicles at a cost of $46,122.68 each, for a total of $138,368.04.
The memo says bids were sent to Pritchard Ford of Clear Lake and Colwell Motors. Pritchard Ford submitted the lower bid, while Colwell Motors bid $46,172 per vehicle, or $138,516 total.
The police vehicle purchase would be funded through the city’s 2026-27 capital improvement project for vehicle replacement.
The council will also consider a separate purchase of a 2026 Polaris Ranger Crew Northstar Premium side-by-side all-terrain vehicle from Mason City Powersports. The request, submitted by Captain Logan Wernet, says the police department is seeking a gas-powered side-by-side and would trade in a 2007 Honda Rincon and a 2006 Polaris Ranger as part of the deal.
Mason City Powersports submitted a bid of $29,033 for the Polaris Ranger, plus $3,625 for an installed 72-inch snow blade and side mirrors. With a trade value of $4,000, the total cost would be $28,683.
The department also received bids from Lake Mills Motorsports and Safeware, Inc. Lake Mills Motorsports bid $29,233.94 after a $1,000 trade value. Safeware’s bid was $32,072.16 and did not include accessories or trades. Wernet noted that Mason City Honda did not have a comparable enclosed crew cab product.
Wernet recommended the purchase from Mason City Powersports, saying the bid was the lowest and met the department’s requirements.
The side-by-side could give police a more flexible vehicle for areas where regular squad cars may be less practical, including parks, trails, snow conditions, special events, large outdoor areas and other public safety operations.
The proposed purchases follow earlier additions to Mason City’s law-enforcement fleet, including the department’s acquisition of a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, commonly known as an MRAP. NIT previously reported that Mason City police obtained the armored vehicle through the federal 1033 Program and that the vehicle was meant to provide officers with more options during dangerous incidents. That earlier NIT story is available here: MCPD says it now has military-style armored vehicle.
NIT later reported that the MRAP was being used in support of tactical operations and could also be used for floods, officer rescue and other high-risk responses. That follow-up story is available here: Mason City’s MRAP armored vehicle ready to battle crooks, floods, protect officers and more – but is it truly needed?.
If approved, the new Ford Police Interceptors would add to the department’s regular patrol fleet, while the Polaris Ranger would provide an off-road and winter-capable response option for officers.
The Mason City Council is expected to consider both police department purchases during its July 7 meeting.