AGENDA #5c

BUDGET WORKING PAPER

TO:                  W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

FROM:            George Small, P.E., Director of Engineering

SUBJECT:      Vehicle for Traffic Program Supervisor/FY 2006-07 Budget Year

DATE:                        March 8, 2006

The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend a vehicle for the Traffic Program Supervisor position in the Traffic Division of the Engineering Department.

BACKGROUND

After being vacant for some time, we recently filled the Traffic Program Supervisor position in the Traffic Division of the Engineering Department.  The Traffic Division is currently staffed with three signs/markings technicians, two traffic signal technicians, one Traffic Program Supervisor, one Traffic Operations Engineer and one Traffic Engineer.  We have recommended hiring one additional technician that would allow us to secure Level of Service C reimbursement from the State.  The Town is currently receiving State reimbursement for Level of Service D.  The Traffic Division now operates with the following vehicles:

Two one-ton trucks:	Primarily used for signs and markings related functions
One ¾ ton truck:	Primarily used for traffic signal related functions
One bucket truck:	Primarily used for traffic signal related functions

DISCUSSION

Currently, the Traffic Program Supervisor shares a vehicle with the traffic signal technicians. This position requires daily use of a vehicle for field inspections, meetings with contractors and other agency representatives, and regular supervision of field operations and maintenance activities associated with the Town’s traffic management facilities. The Town is responsible for inspecting and maintaining all traffic signal equipment in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.  Timely performance of necessary field supervision and field inspection duties is often restricted because a vehicle is not always available for use by the Program Supervisor.

We recommend that the Town purchase a Ford Escape hybrid vehicle for assignment to the Traffic Program Supervisor position. The total estimated cost of the recommended vehicle is $27,000, amortized over a seven-year replacement plan. We estimate that the annual cost to purchase and operate the vehicle is $3,700.  Details of the cost of the proposed vehicle are provided in the following table:

DESCRIPTION	ACCOUNT	ACCOUNT NAME	AMOUNT
Purchase new vehicle for Traffic Program Supervisor Position. (Total estimated cost is $27,000 amortized over a seven year replacement plan.) Ford Escape Hybrid Electric
	60650	Vehicle Replacement Charges	$2,200
	60640	Fleet Use Charges (maintenance)	$1,100
	60640	Vehicle Fuel	$400
		Estimated Annual Cost	$3,700

RECOMMENDATION

We recommend approval of the above described vehicle to be included in the Town’s fleet purchase program schedule which generally provides for equipment order and delivery turnaround in a nine-month period.