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Council hears plan to extend patrol vehicle life to five years; fleet replacement list includes five new patrol vehicles and public-works vac trailer
Summary
Staff proposed moving patrol vehicle replacement from a 4-year to a 5-year cycle to take greater advantage of warranty coverage, replacing five patrol cars this year plus other equipment; council discussed mileage, engine hours and spare vehicles for contingencies.
City staff recommended changes to the fleet-replacement plan, including moving patrol cars from a four-year to a five-year replacement cycle and replacing five patrol vehicles in FY 2026. Staff said longer replacement cycles allow the city to take advantage of warranty periods and reduce maintenance costs after the warranty period ends.
Staff noted the following specifics: most patrol cars accrue between 20,000 and 40,000 road miles per year (staff estimated the average is closer to 20,000–23,000 miles in routine patrol use, with engine hours also a key life indicator), the city will prioritize pursuit-rated interceptor vehicles when available and will standardize fleet choices to simplify maintenance. Staff said the fleet list for the coming year also contains one message board for public works, several VSO vehicles and an engineering pickup that can be repurposed from other uses.
Public works described a value for a vacuum-excavation trailer (vac trailer) that allows hydro-excavation, safer locating of underground utilities and cleaning of valve boxes and sewer manholes. Staff proposed purchasing a second vac truck and retiring an older unit; the trailer allows two crews to operate simultaneously and reduces the risk of damage to fiber and other utilities.
Council members asked about contingencies for lemon vehicles and the availability of parts; staff said spare vehicles exist for short-term coverage and that local dealer relationships provide rapid service for repairs. No vote occurred; staff will finalize the FY 2026 fleet replacement list before the August hearings.
