Enterprise proposes five‑year fleet lease to replace aging county vehicles; staff to study funding
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Summary
Enterprise Fleet Leasing presented a phased five‑year plan recommending replacement of eight high‑priority vehicles in year one, estimating a $94,000 annual payment in year one (five‑year term) and projecting about $600,000 savings over 10 years; staff agreed to examine budget sources and affordability.
Enterprise Fleet Leasing representatives presented a five‑year fleet management plan to Jefferson County staff and commissioners aimed at reducing downtime, maintenance costs and safety risk from an aging county fleet.
Gene Voorhis, introduced by staff as Enterprise's representative, said the county currently operates about 44 personnel vehicles with an average fleet age near 15 years; he reported 76% of the fleet is older than 10 years and multiple vehicles exceed 100,000 miles. "We found that 76% of your fleet right now is over 10 years old," Voorhis said.
Voorhis and the Enterprise team proposed phasing toward approximately 34 leased vehicles over five years, identifying eight vehicles that need immediate replacement. Enterprise estimated the cost to add those eight vehicles would be about $94,000 per year under the proposed arrangement; because the county is already partway through the fiscal year, Voorhis projected roughly $40,000 of capital outlay for the current fiscal year to acquire the eight units.
Enterprise said the program is offered through cooperative purchasing (Sourcewell), allows counties to retain equity on vehicle disposal and avoids typical dealer lease mileage and wear‑and‑tear penalties. Voorhis said the company expects improved safety (backup cameras, electronic stability control) and operational uptime, and projected roughly $600,000 in net savings over 10 years compared with the county's historical acquisition pattern.
Commissioners asked whether leasing would affect county insurance costs and whether the plan could be aligned with other procurement contracts; Enterprise said insurance impacts are commonly neutral or offset by safety credits but recommended the county confirm specifics with its carrier. Enterprise also said purchase with cash is cheapest if capital is available, but leasing smooths cash flow and prevents large capital spikes.
Staff told the board they would continue to analyze potential funding sources and affordability, and would bring follow‑up budget details to the board for further consideration.
