Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Technology Fleet topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Farmers Branch adopts Samsara fleet-tracking contract; council asks for nine-month review
Summary
Council approved a five-year contract to move the city's fleet and asset tracking to Samsara, covering about 330 assets. Year 1 is subsidized (~$30,208); years 2–5 cost about $64,000 annually. Council asked for a nine-month usage review and noted a 60-day cancel clause in year 1.
Farmers Branch approved Resolution 2024-180 to adopt Samsara fleet-and-asset-tracking software and licensing for the city.
Deputy Director Catherine Lee explained the city currently uses two tracking systems for roughly 135 assets and proposed consolidating under Samsara to cover about 330 assets, including vehicles, mowers and fueling equipment. The agenda listed a five‑year contract amount; staff outlined pricing details: an estimated first-year cost of about $30,208 (approximately $7.63 per asset per month under a subsidized arrangement) and years 2–5 averaging about $64,000 per year (about $16.36 per asset per month).
Kevin Reinartz, fleet operations manager, and Samsara representative Andrew Kent described operational benefits: GPS, engine-hour and advanced sensor data, improved preventive maintenance, reduced idling and potential cost savings by right‑sizing the fleet. Kent said Samsara subsidized part of year 1 pricing and provides hardware at no cost; the city would license the software.
Council members expressed concerns about the jump in recurring costs after year 1 and whether all 330 assets need tracking. Staff pointed to a contract clause allowing a 60-day cancellation in the first year with no penalty and recommended a nine‑month performance review to demonstrate value before the higher recurring cost takes effect. The council approved the resolution by show of hands.
