In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the pressing need for a comprehensive overhaul of the police vehicle fleet, highlighting significant operational challenges stemming from aging cars. The conversation revealed that the police department is currently short by 70 vehicles, with many of the existing patrol cars, particularly those from 2018, requiring extensive repairs due to high mileage and wear from constant idling.

The department's strategy includes a five-year replacement plan initiated when the current administration began, which has faced funding challenges. Initially, 60 vehicles were purchased, but subsequent years saw budget constraints that hindered further acquisitions. Officials noted that the maintenance costs for older vehicles are escalating, often exceeding the cost of new vehicles, prompting a shift towards leasing as a viable solution.

The discussion also touched on the importance of preventative maintenance, with officials revealing that only 81% of preventative maintenance work orders were completed on time, a figure deemed \"awful\" by one official. This inefficiency is attributed to routine maintenance being inadequately performed by various departments, leading to additional repairs during scheduled maintenance checks.

To address these issues, officials are exploring a smart leasing strategy to replace the aging fleet without requiring an immediate influx of capital. The goal is to transition to a single-use vehicle model to reduce wear and tear, ultimately improving the reliability of the police fleet and ensuring better service delivery to the community.