A number of Katy ISD’s aging service vehicles – some as old as 16 years – are slated for replacement following action by the Katy ISD Board of Trustees this week.
Board members approved the purchase of 41 new vehicles, or roughly 18 percent of the district’s service vehicle fleet.
Cost of the replacement vehicles is around $997,000.
Commonly called the “white fleet,” service fleet vehicles are used by such departments as maintenance and operations, Katy ISD police, athletics, technology services, warehouse and transportation.
The district currently has 235 service vehicles. Of those, 75 – or nearly one-third of the fleet – have been in service for 13 years or more.
In recommending the purchase of new vehicles, Superintendent Alton Frailey said some of the fleet’s oldest vehicles have become unreliable and are no longer cost-effective to repair.
“These aged vehicles are becoming less safe and more unreliable, and it is increasingly difficult to maintain them due to deterioration and parts availability. Ultimately, the age and condition of these vehicles impact the ability of service departments to meet the needs of the campuses and facilities,” Frailty noted.
The new vehicles will be assigned as follows:
- Maintenance and Operations – 29 (including a high-lift bucket truck that is not a replacement)
- Police – 4 (includes the replacement of some police vehicles in service ten years or more)
- Technology Services – 2
- Transportation – 4
- Warehouse/Textbooks – 1
- Athletics – 1
Funding for the purchase will come from the district’s general fund.
Trustees unanimously approved the purchase as part of the board meeting’s consent agenda.
