Data-Driven Fleet Management Will Deliver Savings for the City

Published on February 03, 2026

The City of Powell is taking a more strategic, data driven approach to managing its police and service vehicle fleet. This effort is expected to save nearly $400,000 over the next five years while maintaining high standards for safety, reliability, and service.

To support this work, the City hired Compass Direct, a professional fleet management company, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all police and service vehicles. In mid-2023, the City began using a new software package to track vehicle condition, usage, maintenance costs, and replacement cycles.

Through this system, annual inspections and assessments of City vehicles are performed and a five year replacement plan is provided to the City. The data allows staff to evaluate long term costs and make informed decisions about vehicle selection and timing.

Using this new system, the City has evaluated the police vehicle fleet and determined that data supports switching to a different model vehicle with a longer lifespan. Rather than replacing vehicles every three years, the City can now move to a five year replacement cycle, which will result in significant long term cost savings.

Historically, the City’s police fleet relied on Ford vehicles with a three-year replacement cycle. Based on data, the City is transitioning to Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicles beginning in 2026. While annual maintenance costs between the two vehicle types are virtually the same, the Tahoe offers a longer five-year replacement cycle and includes a seven-year unlimited mileage warranty. This warranty helps protect the City from major repair costs over time.

This shift, combined with improved lifecycle planning, is projected to save nearly $400,000 over five years by reducing the frequency of vehicle replacements and avoiding costly repairs. The City maintains a ratio of two patrol officers to one police cruiser to ensure vehicles are used efficiently while maintaining public safety.

“Now that we have data, we are able to make better choices and analysis,” said City of Powell Police Chief Ron Sallows. “This allows us to plan more effectively and be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

Residents will begin seeing the new style of police vehicle in 2026 as the planned transition is implemented. The City will continue using data and professional fleet assessments to guide fleet decisions and manage costs responsibly over the long term.