With grant funds appearing unlikely, city council is going to look at getting new police cars and replacing leaking roofs at the library and public works through loans.

"We still don't have an answer," City Manager Paul Sabiston told council at its work session tonight. "We don't feel like we have much of a chance getting grant approval for police cars. We may have a better chance with roofs."

With changes in Washington, however, even getting USDA funds for the roofs appears slim.

Sabiston said the public works roof is an important need. "The library roof worries me the most. With the police cars, it's time to look at Plan B."

City Finance Director MeLinda Hite told council there is slightly more than $200,000 available after a $170,000 general obligation bond and $33,000 for police cars was paid off.

With interest rates hovering around 2.63 percent, Councilman Carl Ferebee suggested it would probably be better to seek loans than to dip into fund balance to fund the projects.

Police Chief Jeff Hinton told council his recommendation would be to seek funding for 11 police cars. "We're in dire need of vehicles," he said, explaining one car the department pulled offline and gave to Citizens on Patrol will be brought back into service. Eighteen patrol cars do not have in car cameras, he told council.

Councilman Ernest Bobbitt said he was concerned about the library roof, saying it has got to the point tiles are being placed in the ceiling to stave off leaking.

Eleven new police cars, without in car cameras, will cost $249,645. Roof repairs to the library are estimated at $35,000 and the public works roof repairs are estimated at $43,370. Also included in the public works estimate is $15,000 to replace lights and $16,250 to replace garage doors.

Councilman Greg Lawson recommended looking at different options including bids. He said he would like to see the bids in by the February work session.

"Borrowing money at 2.63 percent is very cheap money," Councilman Ed Liverman said.