Simcoe County could be fixing more of its trucks, ambulances and other light vehicles itself, rather than sending them out to be repaired.
County councillors gave preliminary approval to create a fleet maintenance centre in Midhurst.
It began as a pilot project, with one mechanic – and preliminary results show that one mechanic saved $45,000.
With two mechanics, the county estimates it would save $113,000, compared to sending its fleet out to external mechanics for regular service and repair. The more than double savings result from having a two-bay repair garage.
And locating that garage in Midhurst puts it in an accessible spot for 74 vehicles, which are routinely within 20 kilometres of Midhurst, and another 44 are periodically within that area.
But Springwater Township Mayor Bill French said outsourcing the repairs boosts the local economy and saves the county cash in the shorter term.
“Would it be wise to consider going to a third party? You’re less than a kilometre from a large supplier to the trucking industry. Typically a long-term agreement, the prices are very competitive,” French said.
If approved as part of the 2017 budget, the two mechanics would join other mechanics at the county’s Midhurst Transportation Maintenance Garage.
As French pointed out, there are costs. The facility would need a $500,000 expansion, but the county’s transportation maintenance manager Geoff Carlton forecasts payback at four to five years.
“Let’s face it – vehicle maintenance isn’t part of our core business,” added French.
But the county’s corporate performance general manager Trevor Wilcox said it indeed is.
“Maintenance is a core competency in the county because of the size of fleet we have,” he said. “The idea was to take a location central to many of our vehicles and create synergies.”
Work on the 2017 budget takes place in November, and if approved, the addition to the garage would take place in December and January and tender award and construction in the spring.
