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Hernando Today

Fleet Department On Move

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 22, 2008

Hernando Today

BROOKSVILLE - To hold down costs and create greater efficiency, county commissioners have transferred the fleet department from the auspices of the purchasing department and put it back where it used to be - under the Department of Public Works.

They also approved new tracking measures for vehicles to address past accountability concerns.

In November 2007, commissioners shifted fleet operations to purchasing following the release of an audit that cited problems with underused vehicles and employee accountability.

The board also hired Jack Stepongzi as new fleet director.

County Commissioner David Russell said the department underwent a complete re-evaluation and streamlining the last two years under purchasing and is now ready to be put back under DPW where it is a better fit.

The previous policy on vehicle use has been fine-tuned, he added.

"I believe (audit issues) have been resolved," Russell said.
County Engineer Charles Mixson said Tuesday the move makes sense because fleet shares similar duties and responsibilities with DPW and will make better use of storage space.

The county has about 500 vehicles in its fleet, about half of them light cars and trucks.

Also, commissioners agreed to eliminate two vacant positions and create a new position of Operations Assistant, saving about $37,000

And in accord with County Administrator David Hamilton and county commissioners' emphasis on government accountability, the fleet department will employ a new fuel recording program that allows department managers to better keep tabs on employees who use county vehicles and cut down on possible misuse.

A device is placed around the vehicle's fuel tank. When the employee puts the gas nozzle into the tank, a transponder records the odometer and will only allow the person to pump the amount of gas allowed to fill up that truck or car.

For example, if a car will hold only 13 gallons of gas, the device will be set at 13 gallons and that fueling will be recorded.
Department managers will be able to see whether an employee is driving more than necessary.

"It takes the human error out of it," Russell said.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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