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Fleet division flags $38M replacement backlog and seeks $5M in replacement funding for FY26
Summary
Fleet staff told the council the city has about 390 vehicles and pieces of equipment due for replacement (estimated value ~$38M) and requested $691,329 for maintenance and $5M for replacements in FY26 to stabilize operations and reduce costly out‑sourced repairs.
Fleet division leaders presented the FY2026 fleet budget request and a multi‑year replacement plan to the council on May 13. They reported a backlog of approximately 390 vehicles or pieces of equipment that are due for replacement, representing about 38% of the inventory and approximately $38 million in replacement value.
For FY2026 the division asked for: - $691,329 for the maintenance (operational) bucket to cover inflationary personnel and utility/admin cost increases. - $5,000,000 for the replacement fund to purchase vehicles for police, fire, public services, public lands and other departments (staff previously requested and received $5.2M via a budget amendment for some FY25 purchases).
Fleet explained current shop capacity limits have forced more expensive sublet repairs (transmission and engine rebuilds) and increased downtime. The division described three scenarios: no new investment (fleet replacement collapses under backlog within several years), current funding (stabilizes but does not reduce backlog), and an ideal ramp (larger multi‑year replacement funding culminating in a manageable backlog by about FY2031).
Staff also noted ongoing work on an EV charging infrastructure plan that will inform electrification schedules and grant-seeking; some earlier grant requests for EV transitions were unsuccessful. Council members raised leasing vs. buying, auction revenue expectations for retired units, and operational impacts of deferred replacement. Fleet staff said many older units have little resale value and some will yield only salvage proceeds.
Next steps: Council will consider the FY2026 requests during the budget process and asked staff to return with further analysis on leasing vs. buying and potential grant avenues for electrification.
