ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez wants adhesive vinyl wraps applied to city vehicles that identify them with a specific city department, according to the Albuquerque Tribune newspaper. The vinyl wraps, which are still being designed, vary in size, but several could be pieced together to cover the entire side of a vehicle. Each city department would have its own wrap.

City Councilors Debbie O’Malley and Michael Cadigan said the stickers would be too expensive and frivolous because wraps are usually used for advertising purposes. It is estimated that a single wrap could cost between $2,000 and $3,800. However, partial wraps cost between $500 to $700. The two councilors have asked the city’s Internal Audit and Investigations Department to look into the matter because of a city rule stating that any contract more than $50,000 must be approved by the council.

However, the mayor said that the vinyl will be purchased piece by piece as new cars arrive, and therefore wouldn’t exceed the $50,000 figure.

The city regularly buys cars and trucks to replace ones in its 7,000-vehicle fleet.