3-1 vote reduces vehicle use

Published 2:47 pm Wednesday, April 23, 2008

By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – Cass County road commissioners in a 3-1 vote Thursday approved a motion to reduce the use of Road Commission vehicles in a move to save on vehicle expenses.
The motion introduced by board Vice Chairman Leroy Krempec, who serves on the Organization Committee, said the committee understands the necessity for two foremen to have vehicle coverage since they are on call.
Krempec said, "In this time of revenue loss, the Organization Committee feels that the following motion is in order and is appropriate."
In a motion for adoption, except for the two on-call positions and the engineer- manager's vehicle, all other vehicles presently assigned to road commission personnel will be re-assigned to the vehicle pool.
The motion further stated that all other foremen will draw their vehicles from the vehicle pool when reporting for duty and return their vehicles to the pool at the completion of their duty.
All other supervisors, needing a vehicle while on duty to perform a road commission task, may draw a vehicle from the pool and return the vehicle at the completion of the task.
In discussion, Trustee Robert Powers said he knows foremen do things on their way home and maybe on their way to work.
Krempec agreed, saying he didn't think it was necessary for the trucks to be on the road all the time when they come to the garage. He said by the end of the day, that foreman knows what his work schedule is for the next day.
"It is a budget issue that should be taken care of," Krempec said.
Powers said the foremen know in the morning what they need to do.
They come in a half hour early, he said.
Powers said this may improve things or it may not. If not, it can be amended, he said.
Engineer-Manager Joseph Bellina III said he didn't think it would work.
Powers, Krempec and Louis Csokasy voted in favor of it. Chairman Cliff Poehlman voted against it.
Trustee Roger Bowser was present at the meeting but absent from voting.
The policy takes effect in 30 days.