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Equipment Services warns of aging fleet, labor gaps and parts shortages after $3.9M reduction
Summary
Equipment Services told the Budget Committee that a recommended FY26 budget is about $3.9 million less than requested, raising concerns about contracted repair capacity, parts supply, and a 40-plus vacancy gap among fleet technicians; commissioners said a recruiting 'launch' contract and an IBS/NAPA parts contract are mitigating measures.
The Division of Equipment Services told the Budget & Public Employees Committee on May 14 that its FY26 allocation is roughly $3.9 million below the department’s request and said the shortfall could affect parts availability, outside repairs and staffing.
Rich Bradley, presenting for the Board of Public Service, said Equipment Services requested $24,700,368 and received $20,788,908, a gap of about $3.9 million. Commissioner Chris Amos described key items that would be underfunded: outsourced vendor repairs, an IBS/NAPA contract that staffs parts rooms in four garages, and a "launch" recruiting contract used to recruit qualified mechanics.
Amos explained the launch contract's purpose and why the department relies on it: many technician positions are hard to fill through civil service pay ranges, so the launch vendor recruits and staffs technicians on a contract basis; the city then offers civil-service roles to successful contract employees. Amos said the launch contract has helped hire technicians but costs more per hour than a civil-service hire because of contractor margins, though total all-in costs can be similar once benefits are included.
On parts and supplies, Amos said material costs have risen and are forecast to rise with commodity price volatility. He warned that the department may decline high-cost repairs and surplus more older vehicles if parts and repair funds are insufficient. "If the tariffs stay up on those things, then the price of steel will go through the roof like it did back in 2018," he said. He also noted the fleet has many vehicles beyond useful life and that replacement costs (fire trucks, ambulances) are large; the capital needs list for vehicles totals tens of millions.
The division also said it is buying electric vehicles when economically sensible and when charging infrastructure is available, noting federal rebates can change the cost calculus.
Why it matters: Equipment Services maintains roughly 3,700 motorized assets that city operations rely on; sustained underfunding would likely increase vehicle downtime and reduce available vehicles for city services.
Ending: Commissioners asked the committee to consider supplemental or longer-term funding solutions and noted they will prioritize repairs to keep critical services running.
