FLEET INTERNAL SERVICE FUND ESTABLISHED TO FUND REPLACEMENT VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT WITHOUT BORROWING

Created in 2009, the Fleet Internal Service Fund purchases, manages, maintains, and repairs all vehicles, equipment, attachments and tools for all Village departments, except for Police and Fire & Rescue. With this structure, maintenance and replacement costs are factored into a pay-per-use system for each participating Village department. Through the pay-per-use system, the Village sets money aside for future repair and replacement needs in order to avoid borrowing to purchase equipment.

The fund manages 131 vehicles/equipment, 66 attachments to the equipment, and 252 tools (such as chain saws, pumps, and items valued at over $250). During 2016, the Fleet Internal Service Fund increased rates charged to Village departments by 2% in order to cover increasing costs. During 2015, rates had also been increased by 2%. Prior to 2015, the Fleet Internal Service Fund had not increased rates since its creation in 2009.

To date, the Fleet Internal Service Fund has performed well and built a solid base of funds to purchase vehicle replacements. The fund has also helped the Village to better estimate the number of hours spent maintaining the fleet. A majority of equipment and vehicle maintenance is performed in-house by two full-time and one part-time mechanic assisted by additional Public Works maintenance personnel.

During 2016, the Fleet Internal Service Fund has plans to purchase: a used dump truck; a digger pole setting truck; a used electrician's van; departmental replacement vehicles; a replacement street sweeper; a used fork lift; a replacement commercial mower; a wheeled skid steer; three replacement pumps; a safety cage for setting cones; equipment trailers; a plow blade for a front end loader; a trench box; repairs/upgrades to the Village refueling system; and a de-icing tank for a plow truck. These 2016 purchases will be made without incurring any debt.