County outlines motor-pool method for sheriff vehicles; estimates $105,000 to outfit patrol cars
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Summary
Public works staff described a fixed-fee funding method for sheriff vehicles, said the motor pool holds 70 vehicles across 15 departments, and reported self-insurance and reserve practices for repairs and replacements.
Sean Roehrig, public works (presenting the motor pool budget), told the board Wednesday that the county uses a fixed-value method to smooth sharp year-to-year replacement-cost swings for sheriff vehicles. "For example, we have 47 active sheriff vehicles and then 6 spares," Roehrig said. "For the fixed fee, we do a $21,000 replacement that does full replacement of the vehicle over a 5 year period, and then we do a $5,000 maintenance repair annually as well. So the total cost on a per vehicle basis is $26,000." Roehrig said the county estimates a purchase-and-outfit cost of about $105,000 per patrol vehicle this year; the same $105,000 figure was cited when staff estimated six new patrol cars in a future year at a combined $630,000. He said the motor pool replaces vehicles based on mileage, repair history and condition and that replacements have ranged from three to eight years of service, with five years being the typical average. Funding and insurance: Roehrig said the motor pool is funded by department payments into the fund and by interest on reserves; the county self-insures vehicles for collision and repair costs and maintains a smaller general-fund transfer (staff cited approximately $105,000) to help cover repairs and unanticipated replacements. "No. They're self insured," Roehrig said when asked about insurance coverage. Fleet and use: staff reported roughly 70 motor-pool vehicles across 15 departments, including small SUVs, passenger vans, work trucks and specialty equipment. Roehrig said average fleet age is from 2016 with roughly 50,000 miles average, though some vehicles are older with varying mileage patterns. All vehicles are assigned to departments and kept at department buildings; some departments have begun rightsizing their fleets, the presenter said. Ending: Roehrig said the motor pool will return annually for budget review, that staff will continue to evaluate vehicle life and usage, and that planned replacements for upcoming years will be brought to the board for approval.
