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Council orders RFP, tables police fleet lease after questions about trade‑ins and procurement
Summary
Chief Noble outlined a plan to lease 25 patrol vehicles to stabilize fleet costs and reduce maintenance; council voiced concerns about low trade‑in values and lack of written quotes and directed staff to issue an RFP and return on Aug. 17.
The council heard a proposed police fleet leasing and replacement plan intended to replace high‑mileage patrol cars with a five‑year lease/finance arrangement. Chief Noble said the plan would cut maintenance costs and provide newer, warranteed vehicles for reliable patrol operations.
"These vehicles will, as they get higher mileage, maintenance cost increases, then they replace them as needed," Chief Noble said, arguing that predictable annual payments are easier to budget for than repeated large capital outlays. Presenters described a financing structure with a dollar‑buyout at the end of the term and quoted scenarios with annual payments in the $300,000 range for 25 vehicles.
Council members pressed for written proposals, questioned low trade‑in values (some trade‑in figures reported as low as $1,300 per vehicle) and raised procurement questions: council asked whether the city had sought written bids, whether a formal RFP should be issued, and whether the city attorney had reviewed any draft lease. Finance and vendor representatives explained trade‑in valuations, warranty coverages and payment schedules; the city administrator said staff had contacted several providers but had not run a formal RFP initially.
After extended questions, the mayor tabled the item to the council meeting on Aug. 17 and directed staff to issue a formal RFP for fleet replacement so that written quotes and documented procurement comparisons can be brought back to the council.
