Fleet Services
Mission Statement
We build community by furnishing functional, reliable, and economical vehicles and fleet-related equipment necessary for the conduct of the City’s operations.
About
The City of Fort Lauderdale's Fleet Services is a section of the Public Works Department and reports to the Assistant Public Works Director of Sustainability. Fleet Services is located behind the Police Station off of West Broward Boulevard at 220 SW 14th Avenue (see the Fleet Services Directory for more information on how to contact a fleet representative).
Fleet Size
At the present time, the City's fleet is comprised of approximately 1,750 vehicles and equipment consisting of anything from automobiles, vans, pickups, bucket trucks, dump trucks, compressor trucks, backhoes, trenchers, loaders, cranes, etc. to Fire Department pumpers, Rescue and aerial ladders as well as Police Department marked and unmarked vehicles. The fleet has a current replacement cost of nearly $19 million dollars.
Duties and Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of Fleet Services to recommend and furnish fuel efficient, functional, reliable and economical vehicles and equipment necessary for the conduct of City operations, write the necessary specifications for bidding purposes, assist the Purchasing Department with vehicle and equipment auctions, and to prepare and administer the annual fleet budget. Fleet Services also oversees the operation of one in-house light duty vehicle car wash at its Central Garage location, as well as three City fuel sites for refueling City vehicles and equipment (locations noted below).
Annual Budgets
The annual fleet operating budget ranges between $10 and $12 million and the annual capital budget is estimated at $6 million. Currently the annual fuel budgets are approximately $1,000,000 for gasoline and $450,000 for diesel fuel.
Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance
The maintenance and repair of City vehicles and equipment has been privatized (outsourced) since 1981. Fleet Services is responsible to oversee this "Fleet Management and Maintenance Services" contract, which is currently split between Vector and Mancon (see the Vector/Mancon Directory for more information on how to contact Vector or Mancon at this location). Mancon is responsible for the procurement of all parts, materials and the parts inventory. Vector supplies service and maintenance, as well as the day-to-day management of the City's fuel sites and light duty vehicle car wash.
Initiatives
Fleet Services has been tasked with reducing the City’s carbon footprint. Working with other staff in the Sustainability Division, employees are exploring the implementation of alternative fuels such as electric, propane and bio fuels.
Idling Policies
The City of Fort Lauderdale has a Fleet Vehicle and Equipment Idling Policy to eliminate unnecessary engine idling of City-owned vehicles and equipment by City employees, which addresses issues ranging from environmental concerns to economic cost. Employees can access the policy via Lauderlink, in the Policy and Standards Manual,Chapter 8: City Equipment Section 8.1.5 Fleet Vehicle and Equipment Idling Policy.
Reducing Fossil Fuel Usage in Our City Fleet
- Right sizing the Fleet- We review the type and size of all vehicle and equipment to make sure we have the most efficient vehicles that meet our needs.
- We perform a projected fuel consumption analysis where we compare the existing unit against the proposed replacement vehicle to maximize efficiency.
- We have a vehicle idling policy in place.
- We continually audit the fleet to identify underutilized vehicles and equipment. Underutilized assets are reassigned to replace older or less efficient vehicles, or sold at public auction.
- We purchase hybrid vehicles and equipment whenever possible to reduce our carbon footprint.