Councilors reviewed the city garage and fleet-maintenance budget and were told fleet maintenance faces staffing and cost pressures.

A garage representative said personnel costs are down slightly because the garage is still one mechanic short; the city is working to recruit but has not yet filled the vacancy. The representative told the council the garage supports maintenance for all city vehicles — police, fire, parks, utilities — and that the budget includes an internal service charge billed to operating departments. The garage does not operate as a profit center; funds left in the garage at year end revert to the general fund.

Staff described a $70,000 line for subscriptions that covers diagnostic software and kit updates used to read newer vehicle systems. The garage representative explained that modern vehicles require vendor subscriptions and updates: “the cars change every year. They update it just so we can have to see how to work,” the staff member said. Councilors were told parts and consumables (brake pads, rotors, tires, oil filters) are more expensive than before the pandemic, which contributes to higher maintenance costs even as the fleet has been renewed with newer vehicles and lower lease payments.

Councilors asked whether utilities pay into garage charges for utility vehicles; staff said utilities are charged and that each department's share appears in its respective budget as an internal service charge. Staff said the garage tracks costs per vehicle and bills departments for work, and the garage fund is set up so leftover funds return to the general fund at year end rather than remaining as profit in the garage fund.

Staff said the administration will continue recruiting mechanics and monitoring subscription and parts costs.