Dorchester County Council authorizes staff to put 27 vehicles in leasing pipeline to address aging sheriff's fleet

The Dorchester County Council on Jan. 5 authorized staff to place up to 27 vehicles into the county’s fleet lease pipeline, after hearing that long lead times and a shrinking allocation of pursuit vehicles could leave the sheriff’s office short of safe, mission-ready patrol cars.

The council’s action, approved by voice vote with four in favor and one opposed, directs county staff to work with Sheriff James Phillips and Enterprise Fleet Management to lock in vehicle orders and incorporate the initial costs into the FY27 capital budget.

Why it matters: County staff and Enterprise told the council the sheriff’s current fleet is older than recommended and that maintenance costs have risen sharply, increasing safety and recruitment risks. Bailey Elliott of Enterprise said the county’s fleet averages about 12.5 years old while a five-year cycle is recommended; she also said maintenance spending has climbed roughly 38% year-over-year and that many vehicles exceed 100,000 miles. "If we continue to hold vehicles this long, they're going to cost you a significant amount more money," Elliott said during…