El Campo City Council approved spending $143,000 to buy two new police SUVs from Silsbee Ford. The white ’25 Ford Explorers with blue stripes will replace older patrol cars, easing wear on vehicles used nonstop by officers. City Manager Courtney Sladek says the purchase isn’t in the budget due to expected tax increases caused by a drop in sales tax revenue. Councilman David Hodges says buying now helps reduce the tax burden later. The money will come from the city’s reserve fund, which remains well above required levels despite the purchase.