Concerns about vehicle costs and budgeting drove much of the discussion at Tuesday’s Allen County Commission meeting, as Sheriff Anthony Maness outlined immediate needs and broader goals for his department.
Maness said a recent presentation from Enterprise Fleet Management left him uneasy, particularly with how savings were described.
Maness said that when he referenced estimated savings in the low-$40,000 range, the Enterprise representative rounded that figure up to $50,000. “If we’re doing business like that before we’ve even signed anything, I’ve got some hesitation,” said Maness. “That’s a lot of money to just round up, and then turn around and tell us that that’s what we’re saving.”
Maness is not opposed to the concept of a managed fleet and noted other counties have made similar arrangements. “The sales side is what gives me pause because if we’re starting to fudge numbers,” Maness said.
Vehicle expenses are a significant portion of the sheriff’s budget, with new units costing around $60,000 before equipment is added.
THE INITIAL proposal outlined a full replacement of 40 vehicles across the sheriff’s office, road and bridge, public works and a courthouse unit.
Under the plan, Enterprise would acquire new vehicles, sell off aging units and return equity to the county. The vehicles would be placed on equity leases, generally ranging from three to five years, with the county receiving proceeds when units are sold.
That full-scale approach would generate an estimated $299,000 in equity from current vehicles while requiring annual lease payments of $485,710. Over time, additional equity would be returned as newer vehicles are sold, bringing the average annual cost over five years to roughly $275,000. The plan would also reduce the fleet’s average age from about 14 years to new.
Commissioner Jerry Daniels suggested a more gradual replacement plan may be easier to manage.
Commissioners agreed they would keep an open mind as a revised proposal is developed and will be presented by Enterprise in the near future.
AS PART of his budget request, Maness also asked for flexibility in how employee raises are distributed. “I have some employees that go above and beyond,” he said. “And then I have other employees that do the bare minimum.” He asked commissioners to allow departments to allocate a portion of raises based on performance if a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is approved.
Maness also noted efforts to control costs within the jail, including restructuring staffing and reducing food waste.
Looking ahead, Maness spoke about the need for a training facility for first responders. “We need a training facility in Allen County,” he said, adding that more than $40,000 in training has already been brought into the county this year at no cost.
IN OTHER NEWS, questions about how best to expand recycling access in Allen County surfaced again as local volunteers discussed a proposed city collection site and how it will fit with existing services.
Steve Strickler, a longtime advocate for local recycling, raised concerns regarding a decision made at Monday evening’s Iola City Council meeting.
“Basically, all the city is going to do is put a couple cargo trailers down by the 911 center, and that’s not going to do a whole lot,” Strickler said, adding that the plan appears limited to cardboard collection.
