Wong Nystrom, senior account executive with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc., presented the terms of a leasing program for sheriff department vehicles at the county board’s April 24 meeting.
Nystrom suggested rotating the vehicles on a 3-5 year cycle through a partnership with Enterprise would lower the county’s operating costs and improve safety and reliability.
Savings in operating costs would stem from replacing vehicles at the optimal time, thereby saving on maintenance and fuel costs and losses due to depreciation of the vehicle. He maintained there would be less down time, allowing the department to better serve the community.
Nystrom estimated the sheriff’s office will save nearly $44,000 over four years by leveraging an open-end lease. He suggested maintenance costs could be reduced by 30%.
Commissioner Randy Dahl said he will need to know the average expected cost of ownership versus lease payment. Nystrom explained the county would own the equity in the vehicle when it is to be rotated out of service. Its value would either be rolled into a new vehicle or the company would cut a check for its value. The program essentially functions as finance-to-own; this is why the county would achieve equity in the vehicle.
When asked, Nystrom said there was an effective finance rate of 5%.
Bills for maintenance would be sent to Enterprise and tracked for each vehicle. Enterprise would pay the maintenance bills and send the county a consolidated bill for all maintenance.
No action was taken after the Enterprise presentation.
Other business in brief
• After further discussion concerning the replacement of a retired office support specialist Sr. in the sheriff’s office, the board approved the advertisement for an accounting technician as recommended by the Personnel Committee. Sheriff Tom Kaase explained that after the retirement, we took a look at the position, as to what responsibilities are included now and what the expectations are now. County Coordinator/Auditor/Treasurer Bobbie Vickerman said the person in this position will be expected to do things related to the audit. It is necessary to have a person to go to within the department. Dahl insisted that an account tech should not be expected to be a jail matron, as this person is not trained for that. Chairman Mitch Lentz maintained each account tech in each department needs to learn additional responsibilities specific to that department.
• A public hearing will be held at the May 22 county board meeting at 10 a.m. on the renewal and updating of the EDA Enabling Resolution. The updated bylaws for the EDA were approved last year. EDA director Marty Walsh explained the public hearing is required to be in compliance with state law.
• A resolution was approved for the sponsorship of Bluff Valley Riders, Mabel-Canton Trail Busters, Hiawatha I and II, and Tri-County Trailblazers snowmobile clubs for the 2018/2019 season. The county acts as the pass through organization for financial and technical assistance from the state (Department of Natural Resources).
• 2018 aggregate rock bids for county roads were awarded. Low bids for specific county roads from Orval Sorum and Sons, Bruening Rock Products, and Milestone Materials were accepted.
• A resolution to apply for educational grant funds from Winneshiek County Solid Waste Agency was approved. This is an annual grant that has been received since 2001. The grant has been used for the recycling program. Grant dollars are figured on a per capita basis.
• A request to retire from Nancy Aske, home health aide, effective July 1 was approved with thanks for her 31 years of service.
• Arlyn Hovey was appointed as township representative to the Planning Commission.
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