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Fleet director says 31% of county vehicles past lifecycle; council sets public hearing to auction surplus property
Summary
Fleet Director John Roach told the council 31% of county equipment exceeded expected life cycles and that lease rates have not been adjusted since 2019. Council set a Feb. 11 public hearing to approve surplus‑property disposition to fund fleet replacement.
San Juan County’s fleet director told council Jan. 21 that the county operates 276 pieces of equipment and that 31% of the fleet is beyond its expected replacement lifecycle.
Fleet presentation: John Roach, fleet director, said the county maintains shops across the islands and provides services to external government partners. He told the council the fleet’s average age is roughly 11 years (industry targets are 6–8 years) and that many vehicles and heavy equipment — including a Kenworth tractor and aging chipper and rollers — are due for replacement.
Cost pressures and replacement timeline: Roach said acquisition costs have risen since 2019, with some vehicle and equipment builds up roughly 50% or more. He recommended a phased replacement strategy over three to five years to normalize the fleet replacement cycle and avoid replacing everything at once. Roach also said the fleet has begun evaluating hybrid, electric and hydrogen options where markets and total cost of ownership make sense.
Council action: The council voted to set a public hearing for Feb. 11, 2025 at 9 a.m. to consider a resolution to dispose of surplus county property by public auction; the hearing will include the list of surplus vehicles and equipment proposed for sale. Staff noted a full resolution and exhibits will be prepared for the council’s second touch and for the Feb. 11 packet.
Why it matters: A large share of older equipment raises operating risk, increases maintenance costs and can reduce efficiency. The public auction is part of a strategy to recycle capital and fund replacement vehicles and safety improvements.
Next steps: Fleet staff will prepare the formal resolution, an auction exhibit and suggested replacement strategy for council review prior to the Feb. 11 hearing. Roach estimated it will take three to five years of phased replacement to restore the fleet to a normalized replacement cadence.
