The city of Norman is getting a couple of new tools in its effort to help get people where they need to go.The city council just signed off on two new vans meant to help the unhouses and other residents. However, the price tag raised some eyebrows.More than $300,000 in taxpayer money was spent on the vans, but city leaders told KOCO 5 the vans have been in the works for years, and that’s the best deal they can get."What it’s doing is reaching out to those persons in our city who may not have the same advantages to be able to get to a doctor or an appointment of any sort," said Mayor Larry Heikkila, city of Norman.They are two multi-purpose vans to help Norman residents without a means of transportation."The theory is that we’re going to lease these to social service agencies: Kiwanis Kruisers, RSVP, Salvation Army, things of that nature where they might need transportation for their clients but they can’t afford the vehicle," said Shawn O’Leary, director of public works, city of Norman.The cost of the two vans was $318,158 and will be covered by a $500,000 crisis response fund, but the city said the vans have all the bells and whistles."This is the one that does it all, most efficiently, handles the most people, handles multiple wheelchairs and accessible issues, efficient to operate, efficient to maintain so it’s a proven product but it is," O’Leary said.The vans will run on compressed natural gas, another expense adding to the high cost. Some council members questioned if it was the best option."Why do we have to go with these specific vans and can we not look for more cost-friendly options for our taxpayers since this is our money that we’re going to be using?" said Brandi Studley, council member.The city said the model vans were chosen about two years ago by the previous council and were chosen by state contract, so there’s no better option.Now, they have a year until they’ll get here, so they’ll use that time to plan how the program will work for those who will benefit from the vans.