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Council raises concerns about vehicle-lease program; staff to evaluate buying vs. leasing
Summary
Council reviewed the city's vehicle-lease arrangement (18 leased vehicles, 12 city-owned) and heard complaints about poor responsiveness from the lessor and vehicles unsuited to public-works tasks; members discussed the possibility of buying vehicles outright in the next budget instead of leasing.
Council discussed the city's vehicle-lease program on May 7 and identified several operational concerns.
Staff reported 18 vehicles are currently leased and 12 are city-owned; the city pays about $225,000 per year for the lease program. The council heard that some leased units are undersized for public-works needs and that the lessor has been slow to provide heavier 3/4-ton trucks requested for hauling. Staff said 'severe duty' police vehicles on lease carry different maintenance responsibilities and that, for those heavy-duty police units, the city pays repairs because of their use profile.
Several council members questioned whether it would be more economical to phase out leases and buy vehicles outright in future budget cycles. Staff said the lease terms on many vehicles extend into 2027–2028 and recommended further research and cost analysis as part of the upcoming budget process; no immediate action was taken.
