Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Court directs changes to fleet replacement policy; staff to add explicit EV/alternative-fuel preference
Summary
Fleet staff proposed an updated vehicle replacement policy (first rewrite since 1995) that expands vehicle categories, updates age/mileage thresholds and estimates a multi-year replacement cost of roughly $51'52 million; commissioners directed staff to incorporate alternative-fuel language (preference for EVs/hybrids where workable) and return with revised policy.
Travis County Fleet Services presented a comprehensive rewrite of the county's vehicle-replacement policy, updating age and mileage thresholds, adding vehicle classes (UTVs, rescue boats, heavy equipment) and proposing a phased implementation to address an estimated $51'52 million gap to bring the county fleet to modern standards.
Chuck Schoenfeld, Assistant Director of Fleet Services, said the rewrite aligns replacement criteria with manufacturer support, operating hours, and fleet sustainability. The updated guidance generally sets an 8-year rotation for non-public-safety light- and medium-duty vehicles and keeps law-enforcement pursuit vehicles on a 3-year/60,000-mile rotation. Schoenfeld told the court that replacing the entire list at once would cost roughly $51'52M, so staff proposed an eight- to ten-year phase-in.
Commissioner Shay and others asked that the new policy explicitly incorporate the county's alternative-fuel preference and an EV/hybrid purchasing preference where operationally feasible. County staff said they will add explicit language and return the policy for final approval; no final vote was taken July 14 but the court gave direction to revise and return the policy.
