Navasota staff present options to phase out Enterprise lease; proposes buying 11 older vehicles and a five-year plan

City staff told the Navasota City Council they have been reviewing the city—s Enterprise vehicle lease program and presented three options for the council to consider: continue the lease program, adopt a hybrid approach, or begin purchasing older vehicles outright and phase out the lease program over five years.

Jay Chapelle, the staff member leading the fleet review, said a detailed look at the program raised concerns about whether the lease arrangement has delivered the expected savings and maintenance benefits. Chapelle said maintenance work and upfitting costs for public safety vehicles, along with the city—s recent decision to budget some emergency vehicles in the general fund, reduced the program—s apparent financial advantages.

Using Enterprise—s figures plus the city—s own auction-research,…