South Whitehall approves three-year Motive/Smart Planet GPS and telematics contract for township fleet

The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted June 3 to approve a three-year agreement with Motive and Smart Planet to provide GPS and telematics services for the township’s vehicle fleet.

Herb Bender, director of township operations, said the new system expands capabilities beyond basic vehicle‑location tracking: it adds real‑time snow‑plow mapping and public-facing tracking, leaf‑collection mapping, engine performance and idle‑time monitoring, and salt‑use reporting. Bender said those features will help measure true operating costs for each vehicle, improve maintenance planning and increase transparency during winter operations.

Bender told the board some upfront one‑time fees and monthly costs will be covered by reallocating an existing Verizon purchase order (approximately $5,749.25) and by using roughly $7,000 from administrative contingency; the remainder will be budgeted in 2027. Commissioners said the system could allow staff to drop location pins for potholes or other maintenance tasks during operations and to weekly generate task lists for crews.

Commissioner Felinger Ricker moved to approve the contract and Commissioner Kelly seconded; the board approved the contract 5-0. Department staff will proceed with implementation and public-facing tools will be available on the township website during winter and leaf‑collection seasons.

The board noted the technology is already in use by other local municipalities and vendors who provided positive feedback during staff outreach.