Don (Fleet staff) briefed the Board of Supervisors on the SEATS fleet budget and a proposed maintenance building expansion during the Jan. 6 work session, recommending a larger shop footprint to reduce vehicle downtime and shuttle costs.

Don described two expansion options (a two-bay and a three-bay shop) and preliminary payback estimates: about six years to recoup costs for a two-bay expansion and about nine years for a three-bay expansion under projected efficiencies. He said the project estimate, inclusive of a new lift and associated work, was approximately $3.7 million in total project cost (including funds already set aside this fiscal year).

Fleet staff outlined operational benefits: reducing hours deputies spend transporting vehicles for service, faster turnaround when heavy vehicles require lifts, and reduced downtime when large vehicles are held in lengthy repairs. Don said a second lift and added shop space would reduce the county’s operational costs by shortening repair turnaround and consolidating parts and tooling.

Fleet also requested a new mechanic position (with tooling estimated at about $15,000), improvements to on-time-performance reporting from the current transit software (a quoted $10,000 custom report, with roughly 85% reimbursable by city contract revenues), and a trial of handheld cellular-based radios to improve communications where conventional radios are poor in coverage.

Supervisors discussed timing and funding. John and other supervisors said money is already available in the current fiscal year and expressed a preference to proceed now so the county can capture efficiencies sooner. The Board signaled consensus to ask staff to pursue option 3 (a three-bay expansion) and to instruct Dave (physical plant) and procurement to begin preparations for bidding and site work.

Ending: With that direction, fleet staff will move forward on planning and procurement for a three-bay expansion while also pursuing near-term technology and staffing items that will support maintenance and operational readiness.