Commission approves moving forward with fleet leasing model, pending legal review; sheriff vehicles and electric options left as options

Jones County commissioners voted June 20 to proceed with a proposed fleet leasing model after a presentation by Enterprise, with the next step being a county legal review of contract terms. The motion preserves options to include sheriff vehicles and to pilot electric vehicles for certain administrative roles.

Rachel McGurf of Enterprise presented the county model and estimated savings. With the sheriff's fleet included, Enterprise projected a 10‑year savings of about $816,000 and an ongoing annual savings of roughly $63,000. McGurf said including sheriff vehicles would increase year‑one vehicle replacements (from 52 to 76) and raise the year‑one lease budget estimate to about $541,000 versus about $326,000 without the sheriff fleet.

"When we add the sheriff's vehicles to the model, it takes you from 67 to a 20 vehicles. Your 10 year savings with adding the sheriff vehicles are at ... $816,000," McGurf said during the presentation, summarizing Enterprise's financial model. Commissioners asked for additional vetting from the sheriff's office and for departmental use cases to determine whether electric vehicles would be appropriate for particular roles.

The board approved a motion to move forward with the Enterprise fleet model subject to legal review and to continue discussions with departments about possible inclusion of sheriff vehicles and electric vehicles. The motion carried; one commissioner recorded opposition during the final vote. County staff said they will arrange a legal review and follow up with departments about vehicle utilization and charging needs for any electric vehicle pilots.