Council continues Enterprise Fleet Management program, authorizes mayor to sign leases

Council members voted to continue the city's fleet-lease program with Enterprise Fleet Management and authorized the mayor to sign documents and leases as needed.

"We entered into a master agreement in 2023 and the program has allowed us to lower the average age of city vehicles, capture equity and plan replacements rather than react," said Rhonda, the council member who presented the staff update. She said the city’s light- and medium-duty fleet now averages about three years of age and staff estimate built equity of roughly $50,000 that can be reinvested to lower annual payments.

Staff told the council that the city currently pays just over $258,000 a year for leased vehicles acquired through the program and that flipping expiring leases and putting equity back into vehicle purchases could reduce payments by about $20,000–$22,000 in the coming budget period. Staff said major heavy equipment and specialized public-works apparatus are managed separately and not part of the Enterprise rotation.

Council moved to continue the program and to authorize the mayor to sign leases. The motion passed on a voice vote recorded in the transcript as 4–0–0.

Council discussion touched on flexibility to buy out leases when advantageous, vehicle-size choices to meet operational needs (including heavier trucks for plowing or towing), and consideration of hybrid or more fuel-efficient options when appropriate. Staff said decisions are made case by case in coordination with departments.

No new contract was approved at the meeting; the council authorized continuing the existing program and the mayor’s signature authority to execute individual leases and renewals.