Council hears plan to replace aging public-safety and fleet vehicles after maintenance lapses

City staff and police and fire leaders urged council on July 30 to prioritize fleet replacements and routine maintenance after describing a history of deferred upkeep that left several vehicles in poor mechanical condition.

Fred, who presented the budget, said many city vehicles have been neglected: "oil hasn't been changed," he said, describing pumps, seals and other equipment that need significant work. He told council that staff wants to begin funding fleet replacements from reserves or on a planned cycle instead of paying large emergency repair bills out of operating revenue.

Police and animal-control replacements: Chief Burnside and other staff described specific needs. The police department plans routine vehicle replacement; staff said some patrol SUVs have high idle hours and mechanical wear even when mileage looks moderate. The budget includes a replacement for the city's wildlife/animal-control truck that the chief described as a "multi-use vehicle" outfitted for patrol and animal control; staff said they had pursued a grant but did not receive it and that the cost would be covered from reserves or with potential EDC assistance.

Public-works maintenance and reuse: Staff proposed cascading retired police vehicles to public works and repairing units to extend service life where cost-effective. Council discussed a long-term approach: replacing one vehicle per year for the patrol fleet while using rebuilt or repaired units for nonemergency town jobs.

Why it matters: Staff said unplanned breakdowns add expense and risk; chief and staff emphasized the safety and reliability benefits of scheduled replacement and of executing a consistent maintenance program.

Next steps: staff will provide specific replacement schedules and cost estimates and will pursue EDC assistance for selected vehicles; the council did not approve purchases at the workshop.