Department: Commissioner, Precinct 2
Department Head: Commissioner Adrian Garcia
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: Updating Aging Transportation Fleet and Equipment
Project ID (if applicable): TBD
Vendor Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Achievement (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Managing Entity: Commissioner Precinct 2
Incremental Authorization Requested: $1,250,000.00
Total Estimated Project Cost: $1,250,000.00
Request Summary:
title
Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 2 for approval of the Final Investment Memo for the Updating Aging Transportation Fleet and Equipment project for an amount of $1,250,000.00.
end
Project Description:
The Operations Division of Harris County Precinct 2 is actively seeking funding to upgrade our aging fleet. We aim to achieve this through the acquisition of lift buses, 24 to 39 passenger buses, the buyout of leased vehicles, and the procurement of service vehicles. Our department plays a crucial role in transporting senior citizens, community groups, volunteers, and youth to various Precinct 2 events and activities in Harris County and its surrounding areas.
The proposed fleet update is essential in fulfilling our mission to promote social and physical activity among senior citizens, enabling them to remain active and valuable contributors to their communities. By facilitating regular engagement, we strive to combat isolation within the elder population and reduce the prevalence of loneliness and depression.
Furthermore, enhancing our fleet will address transportation challenges in Precinct 2, where public transit options are limited. By providing reliable transportation for our community, volunteers, and youth, we aim to eliminate barriers and empower individuals to connect with one another. This initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering community engagement and enhancing the overall well-being of the residents in Precinct 2.
Project Scope:
The anticipated overall expenditure for obtaining lift buses, 24 to 39 passenger buses, buying out lease vehicles, and procurement of service vehicles is estimated at $1,250,000. This figure encompasses both the total costs of acquisitions and associated delivery expenses.
Justification:
Harris County Precinct 2 is dedicated to Engaging, Educating, and Empowering its residents, recognizing that engagement is the foundation for understanding community needs. Our commitment extends to ensuring equal access to educational opportunities, spanning from pre-kindergarten to seniors. Education, in turn, leads to empowerment and opens doors to various opportunities.
Transportation is a crucial aspect, particularly for seniors and youth who lack reliable means of transportation or face constraints in driving and vehicle maintenance. In many areas of Precinct 2, public transportation is limited, making the acquisition of new buses essential. These buses, including lift buses for persons with disabilities, align with our mission to invest in our residents and play a key role in achieving our strategic objectives.
Procuring new buses is a fundamental necessity as they serve as versatile assets, addressing a range of tasks, with a special focus on transporting seniors and youth to field trips and special events. The benefits of investing in new buses are manifold, addressing issues associated with older buses such as downtime, increased maintenance costs, and hindrances in meeting transportation goals for community events.
Furthermore, the buyout of leased vehicles allows us to preserve our investment, save costs, and continue using these vehicles, while the procurement of new service vehicles replaces aging trucks that have exceeded their lifespan. Managing transportation operations in-house, as opposed to outsourcing, contributes to substantial cost efficiency, emphasizing the enduring value of this investment.
The purchase of new buses, buyout of leases, and procurement of service vehicles are not mere upgrades; they represent a strategic investment in efficiency, reliability, safety, and the overall betterment of our community. Recognizing the impact these new buses will have, we remain committed to fulfilling the needs of our constituency, responding to requested services outlined in the table below. Our ongoing initiatives in Precinct 2 align with our mission, and these new vehicles will enable us to continue making a substantial positive impact in our community.
|
2024 Trips |
Number of Trips |
Number of Riders |
|
Field Trips/Special Events |
900 |
6000 |
|
2024 Total Miles Driven |
104,263 |
|
Alternatives and Engagement:
Concerning our transportation services, we've implemented a bus replacement schedule to streamline the process of acquiring new vehicles and retiring our older fleet.
Alternatives to consider include outsourcing these services to a third-party vendor or opting for a bus leasing arrangement. However, we firmly believe that acquiring new buses is the optimal choice. Outsourcing or leasing may incur higher costs and operational expenses for our transportation department. Additionally, not procuring these new buses and service vehicles could jeopardize our ability to offer dependable and safe transportation for constituents during field trips and events, hindering their participation in these activities.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
|
Scope of Work |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion* |
|
24-39 Lift and Passenger Buses |
$ 1,056,860.10 |
November 2024/February 2025* |
|
Buyout of Transit Vans |
$68,139.90 |
March 2024 or earlier |
|
Service Vehicles (Commercial Trucks) |
$100,000.00 |
March 2024 or earlier |
|
Contingency - Vehicle Cost Escalation (~2%) |
$25,000.00 |
November 2024/February 2025* |
|
Total |
$ 1,250,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
*Requisition estimated to be issued in Late November 2024
*PO anticipated to be paid in late February 2025
There is no commercial paper request at this time. Commercial paper budget will be issued later, dependent on project timing and needs.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
X Public Health
X Transportation
_ Flooding
_Environment
X Governance and Customer Service
Previous Court Action:
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
N/A |
|
|
Address: 8103 Wade Rd, Baytown TX 77521
Precinct(s): Precinct 2
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
|
|
|
FY 24 |
FY 25 |
Next 3 FYs |
|
Incremental Expenditures (do NOT write values in thousands or millions) |
|
Labor Expenditures |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Non-Labor Expenditures |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Incremental Expenditures |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Funding Sources (do NOT write values in thousands or millions) |
|
Existing Budget |
|
Grant |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Other |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Requested |
|
Other |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Requested |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Requested |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 01/09/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Legal Funding Compliance Confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, Assistant County Attorney, 1/4/2024
Department Approval by: Chara Bowie, 1/4/2024
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects and infrastructure, 1/4/2024
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: N/A
Project PeopleSoft ID: N/A
CP Series Description: N/A
HB 1869 compliance confirmed by: N/A
OMB Financial Management contact: N/A