Over the last year, Peoria has been feeling the effects of inflation and global supply chain issues. They continue to pummel the city’s fleet, leading to unprecedented acquisition delays and replacement vehicle costs, which have increased as much as 70% for some vehicles.
Peoria City Council recently approved a budget amendment in the amount of $512,000 from the General Fund Contingency Account to various vehicle replacement funds and accounts. This will close the gap in the amount initially approved during the previous budget process to purchase approximately 50 vehicles at the original estimated amount of about $7.4 million.
Peoria Fleet Manager John Freuden said inflation and supply chain issues are a very common theme these days and city vehicles have been affected significantly. Vehicle prices took a big jump in the fall of 2021, and they are still climbing, he said.
