A 2025 Ford F-150 pickup is being donated to the city by the Ceres Police Department SWAT Association which caused at least one councilmember to express concerns about the city’s finances.

The donation was accepted by the City Council and saves the city about $60,000. The pickup replaces a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country van which is no longer reliable and often needs repairs.

“I am very grateful to the Ceres SWAT Association for their diligence in raising the funds and taking the initiative to purchase a vehicle they know that it’s essential to accomplishing their mission and keeping our community safe,” said Councilwoman Cerina Otero. “However, when I first saw this item, it was disappointing that our city can’t afford to fund a critical public safety vehicle. The men and women of these associations shouldn’t have to worry about raising funds for high costs for their mission essential equipment such as vehicles.”

Otero said the city doesn’t seem to have a proactive plan to acquire expensive vehicles.

“We should not be relying on our employee associations to purchase high ticket items. Officers shouldn’t have to worry if the city is going to fund essential equipment.”

Ceres Police Chief Trenton Johnson said while the SWAT team and their donors are “happy that their association money is going towards some critical item like this truck but I also know that they worry a little bit that it’s a handout, not a hand up.”

He added that he doesn’t want the city relying on employee associations to buy needed vehicles.

Johnson said the city is working on a three-year strategic plan for just the Ceres Police fleet which the council will “hopefully see this next budget and in the following budgets.”