Lisa Holmes is an account executive for Enterprise Fleet Management, a League Partner. She can be reached at Lisa.M.Holmes@ehi.com.

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Government entities across California and nationwide are putting intense pressure on their departments — police, public works, and code enforcement, among others — to deliver first-rate community services with increasingly scarce resources. In turn, government leaders are being challenged to find creative ways to do more with less, while maintaining high standards of quality.

With age taking its toll on existing vehicle fleets, many local government agencies are learning that working with a professional fleet management company provides them with flexibility and control over their assets. Cities can not only improve the lifecycle of their vehicles but reduce their total cost of ownership with no impact on their current budget. As a result, government agencies can invest those cost savings in better serving the people who matter most: those who live, work, and visit their cities.

Finances and cash flow

It’s no secret that older, high-mileage vehicles can be more trouble than they are worth. Older vehicles often end up being more expensive due to frequent maintenance and reduced fuel economy. Other hidden costs include administration, taxes, registration, depreciation, and insurance.

Many municipalities pay cash for light-duty vehicles out of their capital budget to own their fleet, which typically limits their ability to replace vehicles to a small percentage annually. This method often results in vehicles remaining in a fleet past their recommended replacement policies.

By working with a professional fleet management company, like Enterprise Fleet Management, a municipality can replace more of its fleet on an annual basis while maximizing savings. Fleet management companies assess reliable forward-looking market data to help government agencies implement the mobility solutions that best meet their needs at the lowest cost to the taxpayer.

Technology and innovation

Industry-leading cost control and reporting capabilities help customers reduce the total cost of ownership, while also improving productivity and providing updates on the latest industry trends.

For example, telematics solutions provide fleet operators a comprehensive view of the analytics of each vehicle and driver to help them track and evaluate:

• Fuel management strategies.
• Scheduled and preventive maintenance and maintenance alerts.
• Driver performance, accident management, and crash avoidance.
• Employee productivity.
• Regulatory compliance.

Vehicle resale

Resale expertise is an important and often overlooked element of reducing fleet expenses. The vehicle replacement process is particularly important for government entities as they have a variety of vehicle types and usages.

A fleet management company with remarketing expertise can help maximize vehicle resale value with a rapid sale process and optimal exposure through multiple channels. As a result, government entities can focus on more important assignments and allow the fleet experts to put equity back into their investment.

Customized approach

All budgets and fleet needs are different. Partnering with a company like Enterprise Fleet Management can provide a customized solution for each agency’s needs, offering more control over fleet costs than one might expect — without sacrificing quality or flexibility. 

Owned by the Taylor family of St. Louis, Enterprise Fleet Management operates a network of more than 50 fully staffed offices and manages a fleet of more than 649,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. The business provides full-service management for companies, government agencies, and organizations operating medium-sized fleets of 20 or more vehicles, as well as those seeking an alternative to employee reimbursement programs. Enterprise Fleet Management supplies most makes and models of cars, light- and medium-duty trucks, and service vehicles across North America. Enterprise Fleet Management and its affiliate, Enterprise Holdings, together offer a total transportation solution. Combined, these businesses, which include car rental and car-sharing services, truck rental, corporate fleet management, vanpooling, retail car sales, and a vehicle-subscription service, accounted for nearly $23.9 billion in revenue and operated more than 1.85 million vehicles throughout the world in fiscal year 2021.