Guelph-Eramosa has preapproved a new fleet vehicle for the township building department.
At the Nov. 6 council meeting, chief building official Dan Sharina told council that the building department has one fleet vehicle that is used to travel to inspections and other department-related events.
That vehicle now has travelled about 190,000km.
“It’s an old vehicle, it is due for replacement,” Sharina said. “We’re having some mechanical problems with it.”
The vehicle was due to be replaced in 2014 as per the township fleet replacement policy but the building department reserve funds didn’t have the funds at that time.
“Right now we do have the funds, it’s very doable right now to replace this vehicle,” Sharina said. He asked that council approve a new purchase before the 2018 budget.
“So, this is paid for out of your reserves and you’re a self-financing department and at the end of the day there’s no effect on taxation, it makes no difference we’re just getting it in early because we’re ready to go because now you have the reserves that you need to buy the truck,” White said.
Councillor David Wolk asked how the building department functions with just one vehicle.
Sharina explained there is a mileage item so the department does use their own vehicles if necessary.
“The need isn’t there for another vehicle at this time,” he said. “We have a building department of two people, it’s important to keep one person here as much as possible.”
Council approved the purchase of the new vehicle.
