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Council pauses purchase of new fire command vehicle, directs staff to study leasing alternative
Summary
Council voted Aug. 11 to continue consideration of a $64,071 vehicle purchase for a new battalion chief command vehicle and asked staff to return with analysis of a comprehensive leasing option that could include build-out and equipment.
The council on Aug. 11 continued a consent-item purchase of a pickup truck for a second battalion chief position and directed staff to return with a leasing analysis as an alternative financing option.
Fire staff explained the budgeted vehicle purchase price of $64,071.79 and estimated a build-out cost (radios, command box, electronics, lights and other equipment) budgeted at about $1.25 million in the adopted budget for the command portion. The purchase would use the Department of General Services contract and take roughly 90 days for delivery plus another 4— months for build-out.
Several councilmembers and one speaker suggested the city explore leasing fleets and emergency vehicles rather than outright purchase. A councilmember (speaker identified in session as a municipal employee with experience leasing fleet vehicles) said leasing could allow the city to outfit more vehicles for roughly the same cost as purchasing fewer vehicles, maintain warranty coverage and avoid repeated major retrofit costs as proprietary radio and equipment standards evolve.
After discussion, Councilmember Bieber moved and a second was recorded; the council voted unanimously to continue the item to the next available meeting and directed staff to present a comparison of the immediate purchase versus a comprehensive leasing strategy (including lifecycle costs, mileage and maintenance provisions, equipment inclusion and GSA-vendor options).
