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After purchasing vehicles since it acquired the very first one decades ago, the Fort Dodge city government is beginning to lease some of the smaller ones it uses.
In June, the City Council approved a preliminary measure with regard to vehicle leasing.
On Monday, it approved a master equity lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management, which is related to the Enterprise car rental company.
The council also moved to lease the first vehicle, a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado pickup to be used by the fire marshal.
In a report to the council, Assistant City Manager Ryan Maehl outlined the rationale for vehicle leasing.
"The benefit will be the precise purchasing, planning and higher resell values while capturing efficiency wins including newer vehicles, resulting in better mileage, less downtime for maintenance and enhanced staff morale of operating newer, safer and overall better vehicles," he wrote.
City Manager David Fierke said the lease program is for smaller, passenger type vehicles. He said leases will be for five years. At the end of the five years, the city could purchase the vehicle or turn it back into Enterprise.
The pickup truck will replace a Jeep now in use. The lease payments will be $10,070.48 annually.
In an unrelated matter, the council approved a plan to extend water service to 18 homes outside the city limits in return for agreements clearing the way for the eventual annexation of the properties.
The properties are on Nathan Boulevard and Parker Drive, just west of the city. They currently receive their water from the Westwood Water Association, but that entity has recently experienced problems with its well.
The council also hired Duke's Root Control Inc., of Elgin, Illinois, to inspect and clean the 48-inch diameter sewer main leading to the wastewater treatment plant. The company will be paid $56,750.