2024/10/08 City Council Resolution 2024-089 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-089
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
RESCINDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF RESOLUTION 2011-56 AND
ADOPTING A NEW FISCAL POLICY FOR VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2011 the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park adopted
Fiscal Policy No. 415.37 via Resolution No. 2011-56 to establish a vehicle replacement fund and
vehicle replacement policy ("Policy"); and
WHEREAS, the Finance Director has reviewed the Policy, and recommends that the
Policy be updated to reflect the needs of a modern fleet; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to update the Policy to expand its scope and cover
equipment not previously addressed by the Policy; and
WHEREAS, the City further desires to update the Policy to clarify responsibilities
related to managing the fleet and the related replacement program; and
WHEREAS, the City further desires to update the Policy to allow the purchase of first-
time vehicles and equipment not already included in the replacement plan; and
WHEREAS, the City further desires to update the Policy to allow the City to make
purchases necessitated by emerging technology, environmental concerns, and legislation that
may require the City to purchase new types of equipment such as EV charging Stations; and
WHEREAS, the City further desires to update the Policy to allow the City to take actions
necessitated by a financial crisis such as stopping the annual transfers to the Vehicle
Replacement Fund or withdrawing funds from the Vehicle Replacement Fund and redirecting
them to more urgent needs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park that it does hereby adopt the revised Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A.
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park this 8`h day of October 2024.
T OF OHNERT PARK
Sus . Adams, May
ATTEST:
Sylvia o. L . L% rcw at er
AP VE S F
Mic el nyon, ttorney
Attachments: Exhibit A
ELWARD: RODRIGUE t SANBORN: ) 1GIUDICE:AV ADAMS:
AYES:( 5) NOE ( ABSENT: ') ABSTAIN: ( )
�'
Resolution 2024-089
Page 2 of 2
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT/TITLE: POLICY NO: APPROVED BY: APPROVAL DATE:
FISCAL POLICY:
VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
☐ RESO NO:_________________
☐ MINUTE ORDER
Page 1 of 4
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Vehicle Replacement Policy is to establish a Vehicle Replacement
Fund and criteria for a Vehicle Replacement Schedule, which will ensure vehicles are
funded and replaced according to their anticipated lifecycle, reduce maintenance costs,
and eliminate reliance on the operating budget and large cash outlays for vehicle
purchases.
2. SCOPE
The scope of this policy is limited to determining eligibility of purchases to be included
the policy, the method of calculating the annual set-aside amount, the treatment of
retired vehicles and surplus property, and the source and use of funds to purchase
replacement vehicles and equipment.
3. BACKGROUND
DEFINITIONS
Depreciation: means the decrease in value over the useful life of a capital asset due to
wear and tear, decay, decline in price, etc.
Vehicle/Equipment Replacement Fund: means a fund established to plan for future
capital expenditures and the means of financing them, with costs to be incurred each
year over a fixed period of years, to meet capital needs arising from long-term vehicle
and equipment uses.
Director of Public Works: means the person responsible for managing the repair,
replacement, and maintenance of the City’s vehicle fleet and equipment inventory. The
Director of Public Works may delegate tasks to a designee as necessary.
Operating Fund: means a programmatic, financial, and organizational plan for
furthering the goals of the City Council through departments of the City, which does not
include capital improvement projects.
Straight-Line Depreciation: means the depreciation of an asset by a fixed percentage
of its original cost based on its estimated useful life.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT/TITLE: POLICY NO: APPROVED BY: APPROVAL DATE:
FISCAL POLICY:
VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
☐ RESO NO:_________________
☐ MINUTE ORDER
Page 2 of 4
Vehicle Depreciation Schedule: means the programmatic plan used to calculate the
replacement of City vehicles and equipment.
POLICY
Vehicle/Equipment Replacement
The City of Rohnert Park’s vehicle/equipment replacement and depreciation schedule is
maintained by the Department of Public Works and specifically managed by the Director
of Public Works.
Vehicle Replacement criteria are determined by the expected useful service life.
Typically, this is based upon the type of vehicle/equipment and its usage. A vehicle will
be replaced according to these established criteria unless the Department Head(s) and
Director of Public Works determine that: 1) mechanical failure or vehicle damage
warrants earlier replacement, or 2) the vehicle is still serviceable and may serve
additional years beyond its original anticipated service life.
Vehicle/Equipment Replacement Fund
Departments using the vehicle/equipment in its operations shall be charged and the
revenue generated shall be deposited into a restricted capital replacement fund, known
as the Vehicle/Equipment Replacement Fund. Enterprise and Internal Service Funds
shall participate in the replacement program when qualifying assets are purchased,
each keeping its own separate balance. These funds are not to be co-mingled with the
General Fund dollars and be identified separately for their own use. If sufficient funds
are available, future vehicle or equipment replacements will be funded by the
Vehicle/Equipment Replacement Fund.
Funding for the Vehicle/Equipment Replacement will be generated by an annual Vehicle
Replacement Expense charge to users based upon a straight-line depreciation
calculation plus an accelerator for each vehicle or piece of equipment over the course of
its lifecycle and budgeted as part of the annual budget development process.
The revenue from the vehicle replacement expense shall be collected as charges for
services in the Vehicle/Equipment Replacement Fund. The charges shall commence in
either the same fiscal year as the purchase of each new and replacement purchase or
when the vehicle is placed into service. Charges for services shall continue through the
service life of the new vehicle and shall cease upon retirement of said vehicle.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT/TITLE: POLICY NO: APPROVED BY: APPROVAL DATE:
FISCAL POLICY:
VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
☐ RESO NO:_________________
☐ MINUTE ORDER
Page 3 of 4
The City may from time to time transfer additional funds to the Vehicle Replacement
Fund at its discretion. This shall be done if recommended by the City Manager, and
authorized by the City Council.
Allowable Uses
The first-time purchase of new vehicles or equipment is an allowable use of the vehicle
replacement fund if recommended by the City Manager, and authorized by the City
Council. A review of available funds will be made by the Finance Director prior to any
use of the funds for a new purchase not previously included on the replacement
schedule. Allowable uses will include purchase of vehicles and equipment necessary for
the City to perform its functions. Emerging technology, environmental concerns, and
legislation may require the City to make purchases of new types of equipment such as
charging stations to operate a modern Fleet.
Calculating the Annual Set-aside
The annual set-aside is calculated by determining the future value of a vehicle and
using straight-line depreciation as the initial baseline. This method determines the dollar
amount that will be set aside each year throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle. The Finance
Department is responsible for calculating the set-aside, preparing the budget,
transferring the funds, and maintaining the separate balances of each fund.
For example, a vehicle costing $45,000 in 2024 has a useful life of 8 years. It is
scheduled to be replaced in 2032 and is estimated to cost approximately $57,000. The
annual set-aside amount for this vehicle would be $7,126. Funding will be allocated to
the Vehicle Replacement Fund each year and will be used to purchase the new vehicle
when it reaches the end of its lifecycle.
Retired Vehicles
All replaced vehicles shall be removed from the Vehicle Depreciation Schedule and
removed from the active City Fleet. Retired Vehicles shall be disposed of through
surplus sale by Resolution of the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park.
Surplus Property
Funds received through the resale of any vehicle removed from City services shall be
deposited in the Vehicle Replacement Fund to help defray unanticipated new vehicle
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT/TITLE: POLICY NO: APPROVED BY: APPROVAL DATE:
FISCAL POLICY:
VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
☐ RESO NO:_________________
☐ MINUTE ORDER
Page 4 of 4
cost increases. Funds shall be deposited in such a way that General Funds are kept
separate from each Enterprise or Internal Service Fund.
Financial Crisis
The City has a Financial Crisis Response Plan, that outlines several remedies should
the City suffer a Financial Crisis. One such remedy is to stop annual transfers to the
Vehicle Replacement Fund. Another remedy, not included in the Financial Crisis Plan,
would be to withdraw funds from the Vehicle Replacement Fund and redirect them to
more urgent needs. Both these actions would require recommendation by the City
Manager and authorization by the City Council.
REVISION HISTORY:
POLICY NO 415.37 RESOLUTION 2011-56 06/28/2011
RESOLUTION NO. 2011.56
RESOLUTION OF TIIE CITY COTJNCIL OF THE CITY OF'
ROHNERT PARK ADOPTING FISCAL POLICIES
FOR USE OF'RESTRICTED RESERVE FUNDS;
F'OR USE OF CAPITAL RESERVE FUNDS FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE, F'ACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
AND USE OF GENERAL FUND SURPLUS; AND
FOR VEHICLE REPLACEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Rohnert Park has established a number of Restricted Reserve
Funds enabling c¿rrryover of funds from year to year to help meet long-term goals, but has no
consistent criteria designating when these funds may be used for purposes other than those for
which they were established; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rohnert Park has no mechanism in place to assure capital costs
for infrastructure, facilities and equipment are funded in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rohnert Park at times realizes an operating (General Fund)
surplus at fiscal year-end due to cost-cutting measwes, revenue in excess of projections, and/or
operational modifications, and inconsistent criteria have been applied regarding the use of these
surpluses; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rohnert Park has fallen behind in vehicle replacement funded
through the General Fund, and a Vehicle Replacement Fund and Schedule will ensure vehicles
*" t"plured according to their anticipated lifecycle, reduce maintenance costs and eliminate
reliance on large cash outlays from the operating budget; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park has determined it is in the
public interest to: 1) establish policies regarding guiding use of Restricted Reserve Fund
accounts; 2) apply any significant operational (General Fund) surpluses to contingency and
restricted reserve fund accounts; and 3) establish a Vehicle Replacement Fund and Vehicle
Replacement Schedule.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park adopts the following City of Rohnert Park Fiscal Policies, attached hereto as Exhibits A, B
and C respectively:
. City Of Rohnert Park Fiscal Policy: Use of Restricted Reserve Funds
. City of Rohnert Park Fiscal Policy: Use of Restricted Capital Reserwe Funds for
Infrastructure, Facilities and Equipment, and Use of General Fund Surplus
City of Rohnert Park Fiscal Policy: Vehicle Replacement
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park this 28ú day of June, 201I.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
AHANOTU:AYE CALLINAN:AYE MACKENZIE:AYE STAFFORD:AYE BELFORTE:AYE
AYES: (5) NOES: (0) ABSENT: (0) ABSTAIN: (0)
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT POLICY NO. RESO. NO. EFF. DATE PAGE
FISCAL POLICY: 415.35 2011-56 6/28/2011 1 OF 1
USE OF RESTRICTED RESERVE FUNDS
PURPOSE
The City of Rohnert Park has established a number of Restricted Reserve Funds enabling
carryover of funds from year to year, to help meet long-term financial goals. The below policy
establishes criteria for use of these Funds, to help ensure consistency in fund allocation and long-
term financial sustainability.
POLICY
Effective with the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the City shall establish the following Restricted Reserve
Funds:
1. General Fund Reserve
2. Capital Vehicle Replacement
3. Facility Improvements
4. Capital Improvement Infrastructure
Restricted Reserve Funds may be accessed for purposes other than those for which they were
established only under extraordinary circumstances, which include:
• Costs related to natural or human-made disasters;
• Costs associated with major and extended economic downturns;
• Needs resulting from significant reductions in State budget allocations; and
• Significant unexpected and unbudgeted operational costs that cannot be met with
current General Fund allocations.
The City Manager will first evaluate the City’s financial condition and circumstances indicating a
possible need to access Restricted Reserve Funds, and make a recommendation to City Council.
A four-fifths affirmative vote by City Council is then required prior to use of Restricted Reserve
Funds for any purpose other than those for which they were established. Funds shall be
replenished at the rate of 50% the following fiscal year and 50% the subsequent fiscal year,
unless otherwise determined by City Council.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT POLICY NO. RESO. NO. EFF. DATE PAGE
FISCAL POLICY: 415.36 2011-56 6/28/2011 1 OF 2
USE OF RESTRICTED CAPITAL RESERVE
FUNDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE,
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT, AND USE
OF GENERAL FUND SURPLUS
PURPOSE
Capital Reserve: Restricted Capital Reserve Fund accounts can be established to accumulate
resources for ongoing or future capital expenditures. Capital costs include, e.g., deferred
maintenance, streets and landscaping, vehicles, and complex facility projects generally taking
more than one fiscal year to complete and/or not part of the City’s recurring operations and
expenditures.
Reserve accounts help to ensure appropriate infrastructure is in place, costly equipment can be
purchased and replaced, and facility construction and rehabilitation completed when needed.
Through annual budgeting, capital costs can be managed according to a predetermined priority
system that facilitates better planning and integration with the City’s operating budget. Project
interrelationships can be better recognized, and the timing of projects coordinated to minimize
expenditures.
General Fund Surplus: The City at times realizes an operating (General Fund) surplus at fiscal
year end, due to cost-cutting measures, revenue in excess of projections, and/or operational
modifications. Inconsistent criteria have been applied regarding use of these surpluses.
POLICY
Restricted Capital Reserve Fund accounts may be established for either governmental or
enterprise capital purposes; however, the purpose must be stated when the fund is created.
Restricted Capital Reserve Fund accounts must originate through a City Council-adopted
resolution or ordinance.
Capital projects identified for funding through Restricted Capital Reserve Fund accounts may be
financed in whole or part by bond proceeds, notes, or other debt instruments as approved by the
City Council, individually by project or through the annual budget process. Restricted Capital
Reserve Fund accounts may also be funded through appropriations from any other fund, when
consistent with limitations imposed by this and other applicable governmental fiscal policies and
procedures, and the City’s Municipal Code.
Budgets for projects or equipment identified for funding through Restricted Capital Reserve Fund
accounts will be adopted one time, and should include all necessary expenditures. Projects and
expenditures will be reviewed on an annual basis in conjunction with the City’s regular budget
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT POLICY NO. RESO. NO. EFF. DATE PAGE
FISCAL POLICY: 415.36 2011-56 6/28/2011 2 OF 2
USE OF RESTRICTED CAPITAL RESERVE
FUNDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE,
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT, AND USE
OF GENERAL FUND SURPLUS
process. At that time, new projects may be added, and projects determined to be less critical or
unnecessary may be postponed or deleted, subject to City Council approval.
City Council may authorize use of Restricted Capital Reserve funds for a different purpose at a
later date by amending the appropriate resolution or ordinance; however, the funds must still be
used for capital purposes.
Transfers from a Restricted Capital Reserve Fund account must be authorized by the City
Council through an ordinance or resolution. City Council authorizes a transfer only for a purpose
specified in the original resolution or ordinance establishing the fund, or in an amendment to the
original resolution or ordinance. The resolution or ordinance should authorize the withdrawal in
the form of an appropriation from the reserve fund to another capital fund. Transfers to other
funds are the only types of appropriations that may be made to a restricted capital reserve fund,
and cannot exceed the amount of available funds in the reserve fund.
The cash balance of Restricted Capital Reserve Fund accounts may be deposited or invested as
consistent with the City’s Municipal Code and other applicable governmental fiscal policies and
procedures.
If, at the close of any fiscal year, an operating (General Fund) surplus exceeds $500,000, surplus
funds are to be allocated as follows:
– 50% to the City’s Contingency Fund
– 50% to the City’s Restricted Reserve Funds, apportioned as indicated below
• 20% General Fund
• 10% Capital Replacement
• 10% Facility Maintenance
• 10% Infrastructure
General Fund surpluses below $500,000 may be distributed to other City funds and accounts at
the discretion of the City Manager, in accordance with other financial policies and procedures.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT POLICY NO. RESO. NO. EFF. DATE PAGE
FISCAL POLICY: 415.37 2011-56 6/28/2011 1 OF 2
VEHICLE REPLACEMENT
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Vehicle Replacement Policy is to establish a Vehicle Replacement Fund and
criteria for a Vehicle Replacement Schedule, which will ensure vehicles are funded and replaced
according to their anticipated lifecycle, reduce maintenance costs, and eliminate reliance on the
operating budget and large cash outlays for vehicle purchases.
DEFINITIONS
Depreciation: means the decrease in value due to wear and tear, decay, decline in price, etc.
Capital Replacement Fund: means a plan for capital expenditures and the means of financing
them, to be incurred each year over a fixed period of years, to meet capital needs arising from
long-term work program.
Fleet Manager: means the staff person responsible for managing the repair, replacement and
maintenance of the City’s vehicle fleet and equipment inventory.
Operating Fund: means a programmatic, financial, and organizational plan for furthering the
goals of the City Council through departments of the City, which does not include capital
improvement projects.
Straight-Line Depreciation: means the depreciation of an asset by a fixed percentage of its
original cost based on its estimated life
Vehicle Depreciation Schedule: means the programmatic plan used to calculate the
replacement of City vehicles and equipment.
POLICY
The City of Rohnert Park’s vehicle replacement and depreciation schedule is maintained by the
Department of Public Works and specifically managed by the Director and Fleet Manager.
Vehicle Replacement criteria are determined by anticipated useful service life. Typically, this is
based upon the type of vehicle and its usage. A vehicle will be replaced according to these
established criteria unless the Department Head(s) and Fleet Manager determine that: 1)
mechanical failure or vehicle damage warrants earlier replacement, or 2) the vehicle is still
serviceable and may serve additional years beyond its original anticipated service life.
Funding for vehicle replacement shall be incrementally allocated from department operating
funds to a restricted capital replacement fund – the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Fund.
Future vehicle replacements will be funded from the Vehicle Replacement Fund, which receives
accumulated operating fund transfers based on the Vehicle Depreciation Schedule.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT POLICY NO. RESO. NO. EFF. DATE PAGE
FISCAL POLICY: 415.37 2011-56 6/28/2011 2 OF 2
VEHICLE REPLACEMENT
Funding will consist of an annual set-aside based upon a straight-line depreciation for each
vehicle over the course of its lifecycle and budgeted as part of the annual budget development
process.
Depreciation fees shall commence the same fiscal year of each new and replacement vehicle
purchase. Depreciation expenses shall be expensed from the respective department operating
budget and deposited into the Vehicle Replacement Fund. Depreciation expenses shall continue
through the service life of the new vehicle and shall cease upon retirement of said vehicle.
Calculating the Annual Set-aside
The annual set-aside is calculated by determining the future value of a vehicle and using straight-
line depreciation. This method determines the dollar amount that will be set aside each year
throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.
For example, a Crown Victoria costing $26,000 in 2003 has a useful life of 10 years. It is
scheduled to be replaced in 2013 and is estimated to cost approximately $35,000. The annual
set-aside amount for this vehicle would be $3,500. Funding will be allocated to the Vehicle
Replacement Fund each year and will be used to purchase the new vehicle when it reaches the
end of its lifecycle.
Retired Vehicles
All replaced vehicles shall be removed from the Vehicle Depreciation Schedule and removed
from the active City Fleet. Retired Vehicles shall be disposed of through surplus sale by
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park
Surplus Property
Funds received through the resale of any vehicle removed from City services will be deposited in
the Vehicle Replacement Fund to help defray unanticipated new vehicle cost increases.