To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Tyler Brown, Sheriff
Prepared By:
prepared
Craig Reams, Lieutenant, Training Section
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presenter
Presenter: Kevin Heaton, Captain and Shannon Lofland, Deputy
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Subject:
title
1:30 PM *ACSO Drive Track Fee Increase and Intergovernmental Agreement for Temporary Driving Track Vehicle Loan
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Sheriff’s Office is requesting authorization from the Board of County Commissioners to change our daily track rental fee as well as rent our Tactical Vehicle Interventions (TVI) vehicles to outside agencies for training. Based on questions from the Board at their meeting on March 25, 2024, staff has provided additional information related to comparative fees by other agencies, actual costs to maintain the drive track, existing users, vehicle maintenance, and other agencies that rent out their vehicles.
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Background and Discussion: Learning how to operate a motor vehicle efficiently for law enforcement response is imperative within our profession, which is why the county operates and maintains a drive track at the Quincy substation. For the past three years, the Sheriff’s Office has had four law enforcement and one fire department use the drive track annually. Recently, three additional law enforcement agencies outside Arapahoe County and Denver Paramedics have expressed interest. Historically, we've maintained two different daily fees: $350 per day for agencies within our county and $450 per day for those outside of the county.
In looking at other agencies that rent similar facilities, fees range from $400 for a 4-hour block of time, up to $1,600 for an 8-hour day. The Aurora Public Safety Training Facility next to our drive track, for example, charges $552 for the entire day. Douglas County, Flat Rock/Adams County, Loveland, and the Colorado State Patrol all charge over $1,000 for a full day. It should be noted of all the drive tracks, Arapahoe County’s is the smallest and least conducive to accommodate multiple learning stations at the same time.
Actual costs of maintenance to the facility are minimal. There is no electricity or running water at the drive track. Ongoing costs such as traffic cones, guardrail, and physical maintenance of the asphalt are funded through the drive track fund cost center in the sheriff’s office. This cost center currently has $7,200. In 2023, Facilities submitted a CIP project to have the drive track repaved at a cost of $550,517. Today’s estimate would be closer to $660,000 due to inflation and contingencies.
Going forward, we propose a unified fee of $500 per day for all agencies. Proceeds will be allocated to the Track fund for maintenance and enhancements.
Additionally, we've been approached by an external agency seeking to utilize our Tactical Vehicle Interventions (TVI) vehicles for officer training. These vehicles feature specialized bumper systems that facilitate the practice of this technique without significant damage when executed correctly. We've drafted an Intergovernmental Agreement, duly reviewed and approved by the county attorney. The proposed rental fee stands at $300 per vehicle per day, of which $225 covering fuel, routine maintenance, and minor repairs related to the training and $75 as revenue for the drive track fund. In the event of a vehicle becoming inoperable, the agency may incur a replacement cost ranging between $5,000 to $10,000. Due to high maintenance costs, no other agencies are currently renting their TVI vehicles. Post track maintenance per vehicle is approximately $450 which is performed after two days of track usage to ensure safety of the vehicles. Several agencies have expressed interest in renting our TVI cars to include Greenwood Village, Englewood PD, Littleton PD, Castle Rock PD and Elbert County.
While challenges persist in defining precise operational costs, our track serves as a vital resource for law enforcement and first responder training. Our fees for track usage align reasonably with those of neighboring entities. We continue to seek out actual costs to run the track efficiently.
Fiscal Impact: This will be revenue to the agency that will be transferred to the Track fund.
Alternatives: Other agencies will have to find other locations and equipment to meet their training requirements.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☐Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: The Sheriff’s Office Support Services Bureau recommends changing the daily track fee and creating an option for agencies to rent TVI vehicles.
Concurrence: The Sheriff’s Office Administration, Support Services Bureau, and Finance Section support this proposal.