Management and Performance Review of County Government ...

Judicial and Public Safety Functions
Five years and 80,000 to 100,000 miles generally is considered to be the
economic life expectancy of law enforcement vehicles. Some jurisdictions, such as Salt
Lake County in Utah, sell vehicles every 12 to 18 months, when they have between
15,000 and 25,000 miles. These vehicles are still under warranty and sell at a value
reasonably close to their purchase price, typically costing the department about $6,000
to $7,000 per year per vehicle, with almost no maintenance costs.
Depending on the average miles driven per year (information not provided to
MGT), Jefferson County patrol vehicles should be scheduled for replacement every four
to six years. If the vehicles experience average annual mileage of 25,000 miles, a fouryear
rotation should be followed.
COMMENDATION
The Commissioners Court and sheriff’s office appear to be maintaining a sound
vehicle replacement plan.
Capital budgets often are slashed in times of financial cutbacks. This can be
extremely detrimental to vehicle fleets. Most law enforcement department vehicles
should be replaced on a 100,000 miles or four-to-six year cycle, since older vehicles
require higher maintenance and operational costs and greater downtime.
Secondary Employment Policy
The sheriff’s secondary employment policy (G.O. XV revised 8-1-98) is
appropriately restrictive and properly addresses conflicts of interest and the use of
county-owned equipment.
A component of the policy sets pay rates for secondary employment opportunities.
This protects employees and decreases the risk of inequitable compensation.
Page 7-30