County upgrades planned fleet purchase to F‑450s to capture higher state reimbursement rates

Walworth County’s Public Works Committee approved May 19 a one‑time cooperative purchase to acquire two F‑450 trucks instead of the previously planned F‑350 models for patrol and fleet duties, a change staff said will increase state reimbursement rates enough to offset the roughly $4,500 per‑truck premium.

Staff explained the decision was driven by the county’s reimbursement structure: reimbursement categories are determined by vehicle curb weight. Upgrading to the heavier F‑450 shifts the vehicles into a higher state reimbursement class, increasing the per‑hour reimbursement county crews can claim for work performed with those trucks.

“Per truck, it's only about a $4,500 additional cost, which will definitely be offset by the reimbursement rates that we'll get,” a fleet representative said. The county estimated the heavier truck generates roughly double the per‑hour reimbursement compared with the lighter model in typical work hours; staff described an expected lifespan of about 16 years and an approximate lifetime mileage of 470,000 miles per vehicle.

Staff said the trucks are being ordered through the State of Wisconsin contract; delivery depends on manufacturer allocation and model year timing, and orders were placed before the vendor allocation window closed. The committee also discussed that class‑6 alternatives such as international trucks would have required a commercial driver’s license and less operational flexibility.

Supervisor Joseph Schaeffer moved approval; Supervisor Rick Stacy seconded. The committee approved the cooperative purchase. Staff said the fleet budget includes funding for the upgraded specification and that orders may be recorded as 2025 or 2026 models depending on allocation confirmation.