SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE July 22, 2026
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Kristin Arnold, Public Works Director
SUBJECT Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Purchase a Used LightDuty Truck for the Public Works Department for an amount not to exceed $35,000 and Surplus and Dispose of a 1998 Ford Ranger
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution:
1. Authorizing the Town Manager to purchase a used light-duty truck for the Public Works Department to replace the existing 1998 Ford Ranger for an amount not to exceed $35,000.
2. Declaring the 1998 Ford Ranger surplus property.
3. Authorizing disposal of the surplus vehicle through public auction or declare as junk.
BACKGROUND
The Public Works Department currently operates a 1998 Ford Ranger that has reached the end of its useful life. The vehicle requires approximately $6,600 in repairs and maintenance to remain operational.
Given the age of the vehicle, staff does not recommend investing additional funds into a 28-year-old truck with limited remaining service life.
The Town's Fleet Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Policy establishes a preference hierarchy for vehicle procurement and requires staff to evaluate ZEV options before considering internal combustion engine (gasoline) vehicles. The policy also specifically states that preference should be given to purchasing used vehicles when appropriate and allows exemptions where no available ZEV adequately meets operational requirements or where the cost of a ZEV exceeds the policy's cost-effectiveness thresholds.
DISCUSSION
For a Public Works crew, operational need is the most important aspect when evaluating vehicles. Public Works staff routinely transports barricades, signs, tools, debris, and maintenance supplies. A conventional six-to-eight-foot truck bed provides substantially greater efficiency than smaller four-to-sixfoot bed trucks by increasing cargo capacity and reducing the number trips to one site. Unfortunately, the electric trucks currently on the market prioritize passenger comfort over truck bed size.
Staff evaluated numerous trucks including low-speed electric utility trucks, hybrid trucks, electric trucks, and used gasoline trucks. The vehicles evaluated are summarized in the table below.
Table 1 – Vehicle Purchase Evaluation
Vehicle Option Estimated Cost Meets Operational Needs Conclusion Used Gas LightDuty Truck$15,000 - $35,000 There are many used gas-powered pickup trucks available for under
$25,000.
Meets operational
needs while
maintaining fiscal
responsibility
Low-Speed
Electric Utility
Truck (Vantage
International)
$44,000 - $46,000 With a 7-foot bed, for summer, fall,
and spring this truck will meet
operational needs. There is concern if
the 50-mile battery range will be
adequate during multi-day storms,
especially if the truck is hauling
heavier debris.
High cost for not
meeting all
operational needs.
New Hybrid
Truck (Ford
Hybrid F150)
$55,000 - $88,000 This truck meets operational needs
year-round.
High Cost
New Hybrid
Truck (Ford
Mavrick)
$28,500 - $42,000 The small 4-foot narrow bed limits the operational capacity and use of this
truck. This does not come in a 2-door
option, which generally provides a
larger bed. The smaller beds means
staff must take more trips to carry the
same amount of equipment and
debris as a truck with a larger bed and
makes work crews less efficient.
Does not meet
operational needs
New Electric
Truck (Chevrolet
Silverado EV or
Ford F-150
Lightning)
$55,000 - $90,000 The EV trucks have smaller beds than
many standard gas-powered trucks.
The smaller beds don’t fit as much
equipment and debris and make
working less efficient. The Silverado
EV has features to extend the 5'11" to
a 10’ bed, but this requires exposing
the entire inside of the truck to the
elements, which is not an ideal
solution during winter storm events,
and is only available on models that
are over $82,000.
High cost and does
not meet
operational needs
Staff recommend purchasing a used gasoline light-duty truck for a price not to exceed $35,000. The ZEV policy sets a 20% cost differential threshold to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of purchasing ZEV versus non-ZEV. If the used vehicle costs exactly $35,000 then the ZEV differential is $42,000. There are no ZEV available for this amount. The used light-duty truck option meets all operational needs for the most costeffective approach. A used light-duty gasoline truck will have better fuel efficiency than the existing 1998 Ford Ranger.
The outgoing 1998 Ford Ranger Truck will be disposed of through public auction or declared as junk. It is customary procedure to declare by Resolution such vehicles as surplus to dispose of them.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Field Equipment/Vehicle Replacement Fund 03-923-921 has an available total amount of $81,500 as approved by the Town Council in the adopted FY26-27 Town Budget. $75,000 is budgeted for a Police Department Vehicle, so a budget amendment for approximately $30,000 will be transferred from the general fund to cover the total cost of the vehicle purchase.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Town of Fairfax
Resolution No. 2026-
RESOLUTION 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX
AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO PURCHASE A USED LIGHT-DUTY TRUCK FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $35,000 AND SURPLUS AND DISPOSE OF A 1998 FORD RANGER
WHEREAS, the Public Works Department requires fleet upgrades; and WHEREAS, the available hybrid and electric trucks exceed the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) policy's cost-effectiveness thresholds; and
WHEREAS, staff requests granting the Town Manager authority to purchase a used light-duty gas truck for an amount not to exceed $35,000; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax Department of Public Works owns a 1998 Ford Ranger truck that is at the end of its service life; and
WHEREAS, the vehicle is outdated and in need of over $6,600 in repairs; and WHEREAS, the Town Council must declare vehicles as surplus before it can be disposed of through public auction or declared junk; and
WHEREAS, any auction proceeds will be deposited into the Town’s General Fund; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax hereby authorizes the Town Manager:
1. To purchase a used public works truck for an amount not to exceed $35,000
2. To dispose of the 1998 Ford Ranger through public auction or declare as junk.
3. This resolution shall become effective immediately, as determined by law or policy.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax on this 1st day of July 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST
_____________________________ ______________________________
STEPHANIE HELLMAN CHRISTINE FOSTER
MAYOR DEPUTY TOWN CLERK