Commissioners table Vector Fleet renewal amid concerns over parts and labor pricing

Vector Fleet representatives told the court they have operated Midland’s fleet shop since 2013, use cooperative contracts (including Sourcewell) and pass parts through at cost plus 15%. Commissioners and county staff questioned whether parts and third‑party labor markups, repair turnaround and upfitting capacity were competitive compared with alternatives. Site manager Jerry Deagan and Terry Good described shop operations, local tech staffing and steps to improve PM throughput.

Vector’s team said certain contract terms — notably the Sourcewell cost‑plus parts pass-through — are not negotiable under the cooperative’s rules. Commissioners pressed Vector on whether using outside third‑party shops would erode data tracking and increase labor charges; Vector answered that it can accept outside invoices but must receive them to preserve maintenance records in the fleet system.

With the Sept. 30 renewal deadline approaching, commissioners voted to table the renewal and asked staff to prepare a side‑by‑side comparison with Sewell Fleet Management and other cooperative or direct‑purchase options. No contract was executed; the court directed staff to return with clarified costs, labor and parts scenarios and a recommendation.