The Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorized the Riverside County Department of Animal Services to initiate a $2.17 million vehicle fleet replacement project to phase out aging trucks and vans.
In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board approved the replacement of 19 vehicles that have exceeded their service life for the agency.
“The replacement of older vehicles (beyond) their life cycle is necessary to fulfill the Department of Animal Services’ mission and to continue its operations effectively and without delay,” according to an agency statement posted to the board’s agenda.
The original goal was to acquire the vehicles via an existing county contract with Colfax-based Winner Chevrolet. However, according to the Department of Purchasing & Fleet Services, that procurement is unlikely “due to the current supply chain” crisis that has disrupted the importation of finished products into the United States.
“The only option may be to purchase vehicles that dealers have in inventory,” the agency stated. “Purchasing will reach out to all vendors in Southern California for availability and may only find selected vendors that have an inventory of vehicles that meet department needs. Due to the supply chain issue and limited availability of vehicles, this may result in a single-source purchase.”
In the event a single vendor is chosen, the Department of Animal Services and Department of Purchasing & Fleet Services will be required to return to the board with a formal request to complete the acquisitions.
The county’s baseline criteria for replacing cars and trucks is eight years’ service or 120,000 miles on the odometer.
According to officials, the Department of Animal Services has a fleet of about 60 vehicles, and 50% of those are over 10 years old, bearing high mileage.
The 19 vehicles the agency is seeking to replace in the current fiscal year are seven one-half-ton 4×4 pickups, five three-quarter-ton pickups, four standard one-half-ton pickups, two cargo vans and one delivery box truck.
No General Fund revenue will be required for the purchases, which will be funded using budgeted departmental funds, officials said.