County Vehicle Policy Under Review

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Lauderdale County, Miss.
Posted: 5:39 PM Jul 17, 2008
Last Updated: 6:56 PM Jul 17, 2008
Reporter: Tametria Conner
Email Address: tametria.conner@wtok.com

8 comments

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Lauderdale County supervisors are considering a policy change, because of high gas prices.

The issue of employees taking county vehicles home is under review. The issue was discussed Thursday morning at a work session.

It could affect around 25 employees, and include the sheriff's department. Officials said it would save tens of thousands of dollars annually.

"With the gas, insurance, and the upkeep of the cars, it comes, if you average them out, it comes to $6,000 a year," said District 2 supervisor Wayman Newell. "So if you just take 25 out of service, you would be looking at between $150,000 and $175,000 savings per year."

Supervisors can't take official action during a work session. The board could take up the matter at the next work session, at the end of this month.
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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Former SO employee on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Somebody see how many times deputies have to leave home when off-duty to go to an emergency. Very few. The problem is that Sollie has given everybody a car with the seized cars. The gas and insurance is not seized, it is tax money. I say anything but a marked SO unit should be parked downtown. No more nurses driving to Jasper County and computer tech driving to Newton County. Check into it WTOK, oh wait, you are the buddy network!

Posted by: BILL Location: MERIDIAN on Jul 18, 2008 at 03:50 PM
JANICE, THE 1 SUPERVISOR THAT USES HIS PERSONAL TRUCK, IT IS FOR HIS BUSINESS (TAX WRITE OFF) I DON'T KNOW IF HE USES THE COUNTY GAS OR NOT? ALSO THE DODGE AND FORD EXPLORER ARE DRUG VEHICLES THAT WAS PICK UP BY OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND NOW THEY ARE BEING USED FOR COUNTY VEHICLES. THE 2 CROWN VICS WERE PAID BY THE COUNTY. MY PERSONAL FEELING ON THIS IS, I THINK ALL ELECTIVE OFFICIAL SHOULD HAVE A VEHICLE.

Posted by: Janice Location: Lauderdale County on Jul 18, 2008 at 09:41 AM
There is only 1 supervisor that uses his personal vehicle at all times. The other 4 drive county cars to and from work and where ever. Out of all of them, supervisor 2 drives the largest (2008 Dodge Ram Quad Cab, V-8)? Why? Two others drive V-8 crown vics, while the other drives a Ford Explorer Sport Trac. I feel it is wrong to allow Lauderdale County employees who live in neighboring counties (Kemper, Neshoba, Clark) to drive county vehicles to their homes. They don't pay taxes here! The S.O. is the only exception I see.... But first the supervisors must lead by example and park their cars.

Posted by: Ricky Location: Meridian on Jul 18, 2008 at 08:39 AM
I agree the law enforcement officers should have access to vehicles in order to protect and serve the people. However there should be no need for county employees taking home county vehicles. Why do county trucks need to be driven home? No one pays me to take my vehicle to work. Coutny employees should have to drive their vehicles to work, then begin work in county vehicles if needed. Just ride thru the county and see the number of vehicles that have lauderdale county on the side of them. SOme are used for non work related use. You put a stop to this and the county could save money on wasted fuel.

Posted by: bubbathebusdriver Location: on the bus on Jul 18, 2008 at 07:13 AM
it makes as much sense as getting another hole in the head. how many vehicles does the supervisors drive home or around each day and do nothing in??????? I would agree that there are some county employes that drives county owned vehicles home that do not need the vehicles. EVERY deputy need their vehicle at home with them. EVERY police officer should have thier vehicle home with them. if you want to save money, look at some of the posistions in the county system that could be cut out or cut back on.

Posted by: Sensible :) Location: Meridian on Jul 17, 2008 at 08:11 PM
That post didn't make much sense, but I interpret it as a lack of trust in the deputies, saying that they are prone to "sneak around" on work time. So if you make them park their work vehicle in town, when there's an emergency, it would be preferable to let them drive to town to pick up their work vehicle and then get to the crime scene? So much for a fast response time. How much budget-cutting have the board of supervisors done in their own expenses?

Posted by: Former SO Emp Location: Mdn on Jul 17, 2008 at 06:17 PM
I agree that this will help. Now the deputies won't be able to sneak around with people where they shouldn't be parking their patrol cars.