Dodge County committee tables decision on patrol truck management after debate over in‑house builds and fleet size

The Dodge County Highway Committee on a motion to table delayed action on a proposed patrol truck management policy after public comment and extensive committee discussion.

A resident criticized the county'built patrol truck program as costly and inefficient, while committee members and highway staff debated whether the policy should specify a minimum number of patrol trucks or require an 'adequate' fleet tied to service standards.

AJ Schnitzler, a resident of 100 Pine Drive in Reeser, Wisconsin, said the county'built trucks cost more than outside vendors and left taxpayers worse off. "Ultimately, I think this is a really a rip off and a horrible deal to the Dodge County taxpayer, and it's a failed program," Schnitzler said. He offered two illustrative calculations from his review: using an extra cost of $150,000 per truck across 55 trucks would imply about $8.25 million in additional capital invested in the in‑house program; using an extra $100,000 per truck would imply about $5.5 million. Schnitzler urged the county to either reduce the fleet to 45 trucks or return to outside vendors for truck builds.

Committee members discussed removing an explicit numeric minimum (previously 55 trucks) from the draft fleet policy and instead using performance language stating the fleet "should be maintained at an adequate level to provide safe, efficient, cost effective snow and ice control on all state and county highways in routine and emergency situations." Proponents of leaving the minimum out said fleet size must remain flexible because funding and service demands change; opponents said a number helps planning and ensures service levels.

Patrol superintendents Nate Menning and Joe Lechner were invited to address operational impacts; they described how route length, storm type and frequency affect cycle times and truck requirements. Committee members and staff noted county-wide totals cited in discussion: roughly 1,900 lane miles, an average of about 38 lane miles per route with the current fleet, and a stated goal (offered during discussion) of reaching a 10–12 year average truck age through continuing a schedule of four replacements per year.

Budget and procurement constraints figured centrally. Committee members noted Dodge County's procurement policy is being revised and that replacement cadence depends on available funds; speakers said ARPA funds and sales tax revenue had temporarily supported recent purchases but those sources may not be available in future years.

The committee voted to table the patrol truck management policy to the next meeting pending input from the county administrator and the pending procurement policy. Motion to table was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.

The committee also approved the minutes of the April 10, 2025 meeting by a motion of Krause with a second by Kavazanjian.