DEPARTMENT: Physical Development Administration
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Purchase Fleet Vehicles And Equipment
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the purchase of vehicles and equipment
• One signal truck, two pickups, two motor graders, and one sign truck assigned to the Transportation fleet
• Three police utility hybrids and three sport utility vehicles assigned to the Sheriff fleet
• Two pickups and one off-road utility assigned to the Parks fleet
• One van assigned to the Facilities fleet
• One front-end loader and two forklifts assigned to the Recycle Zone fleet
• Up to 50 units of small equipment, attachments, trailers, and work zone safety equipment units assigned to County wide fleet
SUMMARY
The Dakota County fleet consists of many equipment classifications, as far ranging from chainsaws, sedans, trucks, and construction equipment. To meet public expectations and deliver services, replacement of fleet equipment is programmed in the Fleet Capital Equipment Program (CEP) budget. Outdated equipment is replaced in accordance with the Fleet CEP Points Replacement Criteria (Attachment: Points Replacement Criteria).
The 2026 Fleet Adopted CEP includes the replacement of one signal truck, four pickups, two motor graders, one sign truck, three police utility hybrids, three sport utility vehicles, one van, and up to 50 units of small equipment, attachments, trailers, and work zone safety equipment units. These recommended replacements meet the approved replacement criteria of 23 or higher under the Fleet CEP Points Replacement Criteria and, therefore, are recommended for replacement. All these units being replaced will be sold at auction or traded in, with the proceeds used to offset the purchase price and setup costs of the new replacement units.
The 2026 Fleet Adopted CEP also includes the addition of one off-road utility, one front-end loader, and two forklifts. These units are needed for specific approved programs in the Parks Nature Resources fleet and the Recycle Zone fleet.
Dakota County holds cooperative purchasing agreements with the State of Minnesota (State) and Sourcewell. Purchasing through these contracts allows Dakota County to take advantage of the time spent by the State and Sourcewell to perform the competitive bidding process, reducing duplication of activities and resulting in cost savings. The County Procurement Manager has reviewed these contracts and determined that this contract pricing is the most cost-effective option for purchasing vehicles and equipment.
As per previous board action, staff is requesting advanced authority for the Physical Development Deputy Director to purchase these additions and replacement units from cooperative purchasing contracts to reduce costs and to shorten purchasing timelines that continue to change due to supply chain issues, provided sufficient funds are available in the approved budget. These units are part of the approved 2026 Fleet CEP, and purchase orders are issued and approved through approved County Policies.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff requests authorization to purchase one signal truck, four pickups, two motor graders, one sign truck, three police utility hybrids, three sport utility vehicles, one offroad utility, one van, one front end loader, two forklifts, and up to 50 units of small equipment, attachments, trailers, and work zone safety equipment units, per adopted 2026 Fleet CEP budget, provided sufficient funds are available and following approved County Policies (Attachment: Recommended Fleet Replacements).
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The approved 2026 Fleet CEP budget includes $2,993,000 to purchase these replacements and additions to the County fleet.
• $200,000 Met Council Grant
• $316,000 Environmental Legacy Fund (ELF)
• $1,372,000 Transportation Wheelage Tax
• $507,000 Trade in or Estimated auction value
• $538,000 Levy
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide an efficient, effective, and responsive fleet, replacement of major equipment is programmed in the Fleet Capital Equipment Program (Fleet CEP); and
WHEREAS, outdated vehicles and equipment are replaced in accordance with the Fleet CEP replacement criteria; and
WHEREAS, the additional units recommended are needed to support approved programs; and
WHEREAS, vehicles and equipment recommended for purchase meet the points replacement criteria; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of the proposed units is necessary to meet service demands, reduce excessive downtime, reduce emissions, and reduce repair costs; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County holds cooperative purchasing agreements with the State of Minnesota (State) and Sourcewell that allow the County to purchase from these contracts; and
WHEREAS, the cooperative purchasing agreements result in reduced workload, provide competitive pricing, and enable the County to take advantage of the time spent by the State and Sourcewell to perform the competitive bidding process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Deputy Director to utilize cooperative purchasing agreements with the State of Minnesota and Sourcewell to purchase the following unit’s contingent on the approved budget and following approved County Policies:
• One signal truck
• Four pickups
• Two motor graders
• One sign truck
• Three police utility hybrids
• Three sport utility vehicles
• One van
• One front-end loader
• Two forklifts
• Up to 50 units of small equipment, attachments, trailers, and work zone safety equipment units
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
25-024; 1/7/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Points Replacement Criteria
Attachment: Recommended Fleet Replacements
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Stwora
Author: Kevin Schlangen