Orange County School Board approves recommendation to finance eight buses; staff cites special-needs capacity and underwriting step next

The Orange County School Board on June 2 approved a staff recommendation to acquire eight Thomas Built school buses using a three-year municipal lease-purchase financing, and directed staff to begin underwriting.

Justin Sarver (Transportation) summarized the district’s transition from purchasing buses from operating funds to using the county’s capital improvement program and lease-purchase financing to stabilize replacement cycles. He said the district typically replaces seven buses annually but recommended eight buses this year to meet special-needs transportation demands.

Sarver said the proposed fleet purchase includes two standard special-needs buses and a larger vehicle outfitted with about five wheelchair positions; that larger bus will be used for athletic trips and to support evacuations or emergencies with greater wheelchair capacity. He said the total purchase price for eight buses is $1,133,000 and staff received a financing proposal at 4.37% from Cruz and Associates. Daimler Financial (manufacturer financing) did not submit a bid.

"Approval will allow us to begin the underwriting process," Sarver said. He noted the district has been open to alternative fuels and technologies but cited barriers to electric buses, including high per-vehicle costs (about $400,000–$450,000 each without grant funding), charging infrastructure, dealer support and the challenge of towing in the event of a breakdown. Sarver said the district will pursue grants when feasible, and recognized that a modern fleet had reduced maintenance demands.

The board approved the motion to proceed with the recommended financing by voice vote. Staff will start underwriting and return with finalized financing documents.