RANCHO SANTA FE — On July 3, the Association board approved patrol Chief Matt Wellhouser’s request to purchase two new Ford Explorers to add to the patrol fleet.

Six vehicles comprise the patrol fleet and one of the new vehicles will replace a vehicle with 112,000 miles on it. The second vehicle is for use by Wellhouser. “These are tough miles we put on the cars because the cars seldom go above 35 miles per hour,” Manager Pete Smith said. “There are few freeway miles on them.”

“And half of those miles are driven in reverse, driving backwards out of driveways,” Wellhouser said.

The fleet vehicles are rotated to spread out usage, but two are replaced each year as they approach 100,000 miles. The patrol car with 112,000 miles was scheduled for replacement last year, but due to a vehicle accident, the replacement was delayed. The 2008-2009 Fiscal Year Capital Budget allows for the purchase of two patrol vehicles.

The Ford Explorer was chosen as a patrol vehicle because of good visibility, maneuverability, interior space and maintenance track record. The two vehicles were priced at $67,820, but Wellhouser solicited bids from several Ford dealerships and received a bid at $59,708.27, a substantial savings. “It’s a competitive market out there now, so we were able to get a good deal,” Wellhouser said.

Included in the request is the cost to outfit the vehicles with necessary emergency equipment. One vehicle needs full equipment, including a light bar, console, spotlights and loudspeaker. The other vehicle will require similar equipment, without the light bar, spotlights and minor equipment that will be added when the vehicle goes into full service. The majority of the equipment in both vehicles can be transferred to new vehicles in the future, meaning they can be reused.

The patrol chief uses the vehicle for approximately one year and then it is rolled into the patrol fleet. Experience shows that vehicles assigned to one or two drivers have a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs.

Association President Iris Jones asked what happens to the old cars, and Wellhouser told her they will be used at the golf course. Smith explained that it is customary for older vehicles to be sold to other divisions, such as the golf course or parks and recreation. Sometimes the vehicles are even sold to an employee. If the vehicle is sold to another division, Smith said they reallocate funds to make the purchase.

The request to purchase the new vehicles was approved by the Finance Committee the day before the Association approved it. The vehicles will be ordered and should be ready in approximately eight weeks.