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Northlake Council Hears Fleet‑Leasing Pitch from D and M Leasing; town staff estimate $400,000 savings over three years
Summary
A D and M Leasing presentation to the Northlake Town Council outlined a turnkey leasing model for police and municipal vehicles; staff said the approach could save the town roughly $400,000 over three years while speeding delivery and shifting major repairs to the lessor. Residents asked for detailed cost comparisons.
The Northlake Town Council on Nov. 13 heard a proposal from D and M Leasing to provide a leased‑fleet option for police and municipal vehicles that would shift upfront acquisition costs and major repair risk from the town to the lessor.
Captain Coleman introduced the briefing, saying the lease model would allow the town to avoid paying the full purchase and upfit costs up front and could shorten the time from order to street deployment. Joshua Haddad, regional vice president for D and M, said the company offers turnkey fleet management, factory ordering and in‑house upfitting and financing and that government leasing differs from consumer leasing by not imposing mileage penalties or wear‑and‑tear charges on municipal users. "There is no mileage restriction, so you can feel safe…you're not getting penalized for any of that," Haddad said in his presentation.
Council members asked about delivery timing and lifecycle costs. Haddad estimated 4–6 months from order to delivery and explained that D and M uses cooperative procurement (BuyBoard, Sourcewell, Choice Partners and others) to streamline purchases. Captain Coleman told the council that, based on preliminary analysis coordinated with the company, the town was "looking at over the 3 years about $400,000" in savings from leasing versus the town's current cash‑purchase model.
Residents raised concerns during public comment. Joel McGregor said leasing might be cheaper initially but questioned long‑term value, noting residuals and interest costs: "I don't see how that can come out cheaper in the long run…that leasing company's gotta be making their money too." Staff and D and M representatives responded that the lease structure rolls up acquisition, upfitting and disposition costs and that negative equity, if it occurs, would be the town's responsibility or rolled into the next lease.
Council did not take action on the leasing partnership at the meeting; the presentation and questions were recorded for follow‑up and further financial detail was requested by council members.
Next steps: staff will provide detailed cost comparisons and contract terms for council review before any decision.
