Director Halstead asks commissioners to place vehicle-retention policy on consent agenda

Michelle Halstead, director in the commissioner's office, told the board the draft policy would set consistent criteria for retaining county vehicles beyond standard replacement cycles for specific business needs.

"The purpose of this drop in is to get your concurrence on a vehicle retention policy that we can move forward to the consent agenda for approval," Halstead said, describing examples such as SWAT vehicles, canine units and other specialized equipment that require long lead times for replacement. She said the proposed policy clarifies when retention is allowed and requires departments to cover retained vehicles out of operating budgets using auction proceeds.

Commissioners asked about how retained vehicles would be managed in the asset system and whether parts are salvaged before auction. Staff and Mike, the interim fleet division manager, explained that departments sometimes strip usable parts before auction and that retained vehicles intended as spares are not placed in daily service. Lisa Stairs (finance) and staff noted fleet replacement cycles (five years for general fleet; four years for law enforcement) and said the policy is meant to codify current practice and reduce ad hoc decisions.

Board members gave an informal thumbs-up to move the draft policy to the consent agenda for formal approval at a later meeting.