2022 Report of the Cost of Government Commission

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CAR & VEHICLE COSTS / VEHICLE TYPES / VEHICLE MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS: Improve efficiency and cost savings by developing a comprehensive, software -based system that tracks, consolidates, and optimizes inventory, use and maintenance of vehicles and equipment. 2. Consider a centralized, main maintenance facility in Hilo, perhaps using County -owned property adjacent to the Mass Transit Agency. 3. Consider developing a Countywide long-term fleet replacement projection and fleet maintenance support. Fleet replacement projections should include budget analysis to properly set aside financial resources and seek funding as appropriate. 4. Do more bulk buying of standard, common type vehicles and equipment to reduce spare parts, training and servicing variations and related savings. 5. Do more lease -buy evaluations, including electric vehicle acquisition and maintenance, for maximum economy. 6. Consider a full evaluation of the readiness of the County's first responders' vehicles with a long-term financial plan established for continued readiness. Two letters (Appendix D) were sent to all County departments having management, operation, maintenance or procurement responsibilities for vehicles and heavy equipment. Appendix E contains specific feedback from those who responded. Additionally, PIG members visited various facilities and conducted in -person and phone discussions, concentrating on four basic areas: • Evaluate commonality of vehicle and equipment inventories; • Compare maintenance staffing, equipment, and facilities; • Examine potential ways to standardize and to combine procurement; and • Review clean energy initiatives, EV charging and grants for experimentation and testing EVALUATION: A recent inventory lists 1,344 County -owned vehicles, including specialty and trailers, which the majority are assigned to DPW. Many cars, SUV's and small trucks are similar in type and function, purchased from a variety of suppliers such as Ford, Toyota, Nissan. Heavier vehicles and special equipment have less commonality across departments due to specific needs, such as Fire, Police, DPW divisions, Water Supply (DWS) and Environmental Management (DEM). However, some service trucks are basic models that are outfitted differently. Many vehicles appear to be underutilized, especially those parked at the Aupuni Center. While some informal sharing or transferring exists, most are located and used solely by departments 17 2022 Cost of Govemment Commission —County of Hawai'i - Final Report