Enterprise outlines equity-lease fleet program for Marion County, commissioners probe maintenance and exit terms
January 27, 2026 | Marion County, Kansas
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Enterprise Fleet representatives Justin Harper and Jody Forschler introduced the company’s county fleet program and answered commissioner questions at the Jan. 26 Marion County Commission meeting.
"My name's Justin Harper. I'm a client strategy manager with Enterprise Fleet," Harper told commissioners, explaining his role managing the Marion County partnership. Jody Forschler, director of Enterprise’s Kansas City office, said the program supports more than 100 municipalities in Kansas and Missouri and emphasized the company’s remarketing and maintenance services.
Enterprise described an 'equity lease' structure in which monthly payments reduce the lease principal and ultimately yield an equity payout when vehicles are sold. Harper said nine vehicles have been delivered so far, with additional police upfits arriving in February. The company said proceeds from resale of replaced county vehicles will be returned to Marion County.
On maintenance, Enterprise explained a two-tier approach: a $6-per-vehicle-per-month maintenance-subscription that gathers baseline cost-of-ownership data and a higher full-maintenance rate that covers routine work and major repairs (excluding some items such as brakes and tires, which would be passed through). Harper said the subscription yields about $300 per month for the county’s full fleet and provides vendor management and invoice control.
Commissioners asked whether maintenance must be done at specific vendors; Enterprise said approved local shops (Midway Motors, Ellsboro Border, Webster’s and 54 Auto) are in the network and that repair approvals are run through Enterprise’s software and certified technicians. The company also confirmed telematics (Geotab) is available as an option at about $20 per device per month.
On program duration and exit, counsel and commissioners pressed for an exit path; Enterprise said there is a 12-month minimum hold period on leased units and urged the county to honor its initial approvals while promising collaboration if the county wished to change course.
What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to follow up on invoices, sale plans for older units, and clarify which line items in the January invoices relate to lease or maintenance costs.
"My name's Justin Harper. I'm a client strategy manager with Enterprise Fleet," Harper told commissioners, explaining his role managing the Marion County partnership. Jody Forschler, director of Enterprise’s Kansas City office, said the program supports more than 100 municipalities in Kansas and Missouri and emphasized the company’s remarketing and maintenance services.
Enterprise described an 'equity lease' structure in which monthly payments reduce the lease principal and ultimately yield an equity payout when vehicles are sold. Harper said nine vehicles have been delivered so far, with additional police upfits arriving in February. The company said proceeds from resale of replaced county vehicles will be returned to Marion County.
On maintenance, Enterprise explained a two-tier approach: a $6-per-vehicle-per-month maintenance-subscription that gathers baseline cost-of-ownership data and a higher full-maintenance rate that covers routine work and major repairs (excluding some items such as brakes and tires, which would be passed through). Harper said the subscription yields about $300 per month for the county’s full fleet and provides vendor management and invoice control.
Commissioners asked whether maintenance must be done at specific vendors; Enterprise said approved local shops (Midway Motors, Ellsboro Border, Webster’s and 54 Auto) are in the network and that repair approvals are run through Enterprise’s software and certified technicians. The company also confirmed telematics (Geotab) is available as an option at about $20 per device per month.
On program duration and exit, counsel and commissioners pressed for an exit path; Enterprise said there is a 12-month minimum hold period on leased units and urged the county to honor its initial approvals while promising collaboration if the county wished to change course.
What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to follow up on invoices, sale plans for older units, and clarify which line items in the January invoices relate to lease or maintenance costs.
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