Skagit County reviews 2026 ER&R rates and fleet changes; no action taken
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Summary
Staff presented the county’s Equipment Rental & Revolving (ER&R) rate projections for 2026, outlining vehicle additions, maintenance and shop-rate considerations. Commissioners asked questions about mileage, maintenance and documentation; no vote was required at the meeting.
Skagit County staff reviewed proposed 2026 Equipment Rental & Revolving (ER&R) rates during the commissioners’ Aug. 12 meeting, presenting changes driven by new vehicles, maintenance costs and shifts in where vehicles are assigned across departments.
Jason Bloodgood, who presented the ER&R materials, described department-level rate changes tied to additions or removals from fleets. Examples included a large increase for Emergency Medical Services tied to one newly added and fully outfitted truck, a rise in the sheriff’s allocation tied to receipt and outfitting of 30 replacement vehicles, and a shift of vehicles from Parks to Facilities (including a mower and a truck) that increased the Facilities allocation while reducing Parks’ rate.
Bloodgood also said information-technology vehicle costs rose due to increased maintenance needs on a small fleet, and that Fleet staff continue to monitor mileage and usage to determine replacement timing. He said departments sometimes defer ordered vehicles when prices spike, which reduces short-term payments and spreads costs.
Commissioners asked how the county accounts for vehicle prices and upfitting costs over time; Bloodgood said the ER&R spreadsheet includes a projection column for future years and that formulas update as cost assumptions are revised. He also noted that extended replacement intervals have been used in recent years to manage costs.
County staff and commissioners discussed shop labor rates; staff said the internal shop labor rate is $89 per hour and that it has not been updated since 2022. Commissioners emphasized documenting assumptions and the ER&R process so future staff and elected officials can follow consistent procedures.
No formal action or vote was recorded on the ER&R presentation; it was described by the chair as a review item and staff indicated ongoing coordination with the finance department about shop rates and rate-setting practices.
