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County hears pitches for vehicle leasing program; court tables decision to next budget workshop
Summary
Two vehicle‑leasing proposals were presented to the fiscal court; vendors described closed‑end and open‑end lease options, but the court agreed to table a selection so county staff can compare costs and impacts before finalizing the FY2025–26 budget.
On May 13 the Logan County Fiscal Court heard presentations from two vendors about alternative vehicle‑leasing arrangements for county fleets, including sheriff’s‑department pursuit vehicles and road department trucks. Vendors explained closed‑end and open‑end lease structures and trade‑in treatments; court members requested more time and tabled a decision until a budget workshop.
Shane Oxford of Sternberg Automotive (Somerset/Indiana area) described a leasing option he characterized as an “alternate way of financing,” saying it avoids a large up‑front purchase and can provide new, upfitted vehicles on a multi‑year rotation. He described options for 24‑, 36‑ and 48‑month terms and noted that open‑end leases may have residual values at lease end. “It’s kind of like going to the pot machine and get buying a soda, for a dollar, drinking half of it, take them take it back to the machine, you get 50¢ back. You’re just paying for what you use,” Oxford said.
Another vendor from a larger dealership group presented similar options and emphasized guaranteed service and warranty coordination through local dealer networks. Court members and staff discussed trade‑in value, mileage assumptions and the effect on maintenance budgets and long‑term fleet age. Several members raised the need to model the impact on next year’s operating budget and capital plan before committing to a multi‑year leasing program.
The court voted to table the bids and schedule a budget workshop at 4 p.m. on May 29 to allow staff time to present side‑by‑side cost comparisons and budget effects. The workshop will give the court an opportunity to decide whether to pursue purchases or a lease program as it finalizes the FY2025–26 budget.
Why it matters: County vehicle procurement affects capital and operating budgets, warranty and maintenance obligations, and fleet availability for public safety and road maintenance. Any decision to move to a leasing model will change how the county budgets for vehicles and could alter reserve and repair line items.
