Facilities and Fleet outline FY26 maintenance needs; rising unit costs and staffing challenges cited

The City’s Facilities and Fleet Services Department briefed the Richardson City Council on maintenance and capital needs for fiscal year 2026, highlighting rising fuel and utility costs, workforce recruitment challenges, and a preliminary ranked project list for facilities and fleet replacement.

Director Wayne Corum described the department’s scope — about 40 occupied facilities (roughly 1 million square feet) maintained by a 33‑person facilities team, and a 648‑vehicle fleet maintained by 20 fleet staff — and summarized operating and capital pressures.

Why it matters: Facilities and fleet upkeep affects daily government operations, public amenities and emergency services. Deferred maintenance and higher outsourcing costs can increase long‑term capital needs and impact service delivery.

Key points from the briefing: - Labor and complexity: Corum told council the city is competing with the private sector to recruit skilled trades and technicians; the department is partnering with Collin College and expanding apprenticeship programs to address shortages. Corum said more expensive outside services are increasing operating costs when in‑house staff cannot meet demand. - Costs and demand: The presentation showed increased service requests across several categories and higher unit costs for some maintenance trades. Utility costs for facilities (electric and gas) also rose in FY25 and contributed to budget pressure. - Major FY25 and near‑term projects: Ongoing work includes a multi‑year generator master plan (long lead time for large units; Corum noted an 80‑week lead time for a generator), municipal court roof replacement, service center vestibule and security upgrades, and rec‑center HVAC/automation improvements. Corum said the municipal court roof is nearly complete and that service‑center vestibule upgrades now include secure visitor intake and intercom cameras. - FY26 proposed projects: Facilities maintenance fund priorities include two roof replacements (IQ building and the detention center), a building automation system for the gymnastics center (to integrate HVAC control), and parking‑lot lighting at the Fire Training Center. Fleet capital replacement plans draft a program of about 46 vehicles at a projected $7.5 million across multiple funding sources (general fund, vehicle replacement fund, certificates of obligation, enterprise funds).

Custodial services will see increased contract costs as square footage under management grows with three capital projects coming online this fiscal year, and supply costs (cleaning chemicals) have risen. Corum said the department is implementing new fleet management software and assessing facility work‑order systems to improve efficiency.

Council questions focused on roof timelines and the benefits of building automation systems. Corcoran asked whether the IQ building roof had recently been replaced; Corum clarified the building received interior tenant work previously but the roof was due for full replacement per the facility life cycle. Council members asked whether automation systems yield utility and operational efficiencies; Corum said automation allows remote diagnostics, prevents unnecessary trips, and supports participation in demand‑response programs.

Next steps: Facilities and fleet will continue implementation of the generator plan, finalize three projects scheduled to come online this year, complete implementation of fleet management software, and return with a finalized work plan tied to the City Manager’s FY26 budget submittal.