January 2010, Government Fleet - Cover Story
By Grace Lauron
The City of Culver City, Calif.’s use of compressed natural gas (CNG) helped the fleet gain national recognition as a green leader, most recently the title of #1 Government Green Fleet in North America in 2009.
Tags: #1 Government Green Fleet, CNG, Culver City, Green
January 2010, Government Fleet - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
Second only to depreciation, fuel is the second-largest public sector fleet expense. Municipal, county, and state fleets share best practices in reducing fuel expenses.
Tags: fuel, Fuel Contract, Fuel Policy, Right-Size
January 2010, Government Fleet - Feature
By Kelly Reagan
The City of Columbus, Ohio, fleet organization centralized operations in 2008. The fleet manager’s first-person account relates challenges, pitfalls, and rewards experienced in the process.
Tags: Centralization, City of Columbus
January 2010, Government Fleet - Feature
By Cheryl Knight
After reinventing its accident management program and moving to automated reporting, the City of Tacoma, Wash., dramatically improved customer service ratings and lowered fleet operating costs.
Tags: Accident Management, City of Tacoma
January 2010, Government Fleet - Feature
By Dennis Von Ruden
Surface planer operation requires multiple considerations, such as choosing the right equipment, using the correct flail, and plugging into the right power source.
Tags: Equipment, Surface Planers
January 2010, Government Fleet - Feature
By Cheryl Knight
Seattle moves full-force toward a 100-percent advanced technology and alt-fuels fleet. The initiative has resulted in better gas mileage, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and a reduction in annual petroleum fuel use.
Tags: alt-fuel, City of Seattle, fuel, Green
January 2010, Government Fleet - Feature
By Shelley Mika
The Southern California city’s solid refuse fleet is now 100-percent CNG-fueled. While the move to CNG required an infrastructure capital investment, the benefits include lower fuel and maintenance costs, and reduced emissions.
Tags: City of Burbank, CNG, fuel, Green
January 2010, Government Fleet - Feature
By Steve Bennett
With many public sector fleet budgets straining in difficult economic times, leasing construction equipment can provide a financially viable option to purchasing for short-term needs.
Tags: Lease-Purchase, Leasing Equipment, Off-Road Equipment
January 2010, Government Fleet - WebXclusive
By Government Fleet Staff
Top viewed stories included "Budgeting for Today's Fuel Costs," " Best Practices in Disaster Recovery Planning," and " Hillsborough County Named No. 1 Again in 2009."
November 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Gary Hatfield
Traditional methods of determining the most cost-effective fleet size can be inefficient and inaccurate. Several alternative methods can be used individually or in combination.
Tags: fleet reduction, right-sizing, Utilization
November 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Mike Scott
Available in two configurations with an available unmarked version, the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice PPV is rear-wheel driven, offering six- and eight-cylinder engines.
Tags: Chevrolet Caprice, Law Enforcement, police vehicle
November 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Jack Doheny & Jim Schwaller
Sewer cleaning trucks help ensure a clean city, free from clogged drainage systems. Properly spec’ing and maintaining this equipment requires careful planning and a clear strategy.
Tags: maintenance, Sewer Cleaner, Spec'ing
November 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Randy Owen
Public sector fleet managers often struggle with determining appropriate mechanic staffing levels. Quantifying labor demand and supply and accounting for individual fleet operations can provide the answers.
Tags: Labor Demand, Mechanic Staffing, Productivity
November 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By John Dolce
Central motor pools offer cost-effective utilization of extra fleet units. Rotated use and preventive maintenance can extend vehicle lifecycles, while units flexibly serve the collective needs of end-user departments.
Tags: maintenance, Motor Pool, Spare Vehicles, Utilization
November 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Grace Lauron
Offering an alternative procurement method to help fleets save money, the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) “creates an alliance between buyers and suppliers” to streamline the fleet purchasing process.
Tags: National Joint Powers Alliance, procurement, Reducing Paperwork
November 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Steve Bennet
A good working relationship between fleet and user departments begins with the spec’ing process and extends through the equipment service to its eventual resale or trade-in and can help avoid error.
Tags: Equipment Utilization, Managing Equipment, Operator Training, Spec'ing
November 2009, Government Fleet - WebXclusive
By Mike Scott
Targeted specifically to law enforcement agencies of all sizes, the E7 Concept will be marketed as a custom-made police vehicle.
Tags: Carbon Motors, E7 Concept Vehicle, Police Car
September 2009, Government Fleet - Cover Story
By Cheryl Knight
The Florida county was named the best public fleet in North America for the second year running. For the past three fiscal years, the fleet team has attained a 97-percent overall customer satisfaction rating while reducing operating costs.
Tags: 100 Best Fleets, Best Public Fleet, Hillsborough County
September 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Mark Hall
While spreaders vary widely, all require special servicing to maintain good operating health and avoid extra costs. Here are tips to prepare your winter-maintenance spreaders before the season begins.
Tags: Spreader, Winter Maintenance, Winter Preparation
September 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Mike Scott
Several Puget Sound, Wash., public sector fleet departments have established the Evergreen Fleet Initiative, which they hope will serve as a standard in the Northwest region.
Tags: Evergreen Fleet Initiative, Green, Northwest
September 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Grace Lauron
Reduced fuel consumption and lower service costs are just a few ways fleets can save with the Caterpillar D7E Track-Type Tractor, a hybrid system that combines diesel and electric power.
Tags: Caterpillar, Dozer, hybrid, Off-Road Equipment, Tractor
August 2009, Government Fleet - WebXclusive
By Paul Dexler
Safety is a major consideration when lifting and working under an object weighing several tons. Resources are available to shop managers on lift inspection, proper operation, lifting procedures, and mechanic training.
Tags: fore-and-aft, four-post ramp-style, in-ground, Lift, mobile lift, parallelogram, two-post side-by-side
August 2009, Government Fleet - WebXclusive
By Cheryl Knight
Through implementing vehicle committees, the City Utilities of Springfield, Mo., increased communication with its field crew and improved driver satisfaction, leading to a higher level of trust and crew engagement.
Tags: City of Springfield, Utilities Department, Vehicle Committee
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Written procedures are critical for liability purposes, providing support to the governmental agency in lawsuit-related issues. Fleets identify best practices and steps in creating fleet policy.
Tags: bright ideas, Management, policy
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Discover best practices and bright ideas for fuel management.
Tags: bright ideas, fuel
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Underutilization can result in wasteful fleet spending. Fleets must ensure all vehicles are being properly utilized to save on costs.
Tags: bright ideas, Utilization
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
One of the best practices fleets have found useful in improving operations and customer satisfaction is regular customer feedback, which can be as simple as informal conversations or observations.
Tags: bright ideas, customer service
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
By capturing and benchmarking metrics, a fleet manager can demonstrate the fleet’s improved performance.
Tags: bright ideas, metrics, Reporting
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Leadership and management strategies include maintaining open communication with staff and staying up-to-date in the industry.
Tags: bright ideas, leadership, Management
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Communication is a vital aspect of fleet operations. Regularly scheduled meetings and newsletters are just a few ways to keep staff in the loop.
Tags: bright ideas, communication
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Be proactive—make preventive maintenance (PM) a priority and budget for it accordingly to prevent more expensive repairs down the line.
Tags: bright ideas, maintenance
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Privatizing the auto parts operation and offering technicians a salary increase based on ASE certifications are a few ways fleets can improve shop operations.
Tags: ASE certification, bright ideas, Parts Shop
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Fleets share several strategies for recruiting and retaining qualified and dedicated employees.
Tags: bright ideas, Staffing
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Collaborating with other departments or fleets and conducting reverse auctions are some strategies that may be helpful during budgeting, procurement, and financing.
Tags: bright ideas, Budget, Finance, procurement
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Prioritizing replacements based on age, miles, emissions test results, and oil sample analysis can ensure vehicles are properly replaced.
Tags: bright ideas, Replacement Programs
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Driver assessment programs, monthly safety meetings, and advanced vehicle safety technologies are a few ways fleets can minimize safety risks.
Tags: bright ideas, safety
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Sharing green practices with other fleets, selecting more fuel-efficient vehicles, and replacing lead wheel weights in tires have proven helpful for several fleets.
Tags: bright ideas, Green
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Ashley Willis
Maintaining off-road equipment is not an easy feat, but with these tips, managing the
equipment can be a much easier, not to mention cost effective, task.
Tags: bright ideas, fuel, maintenance, Off-Road
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Technology is available to help streamline fleet operations and reduce costs.
Tags: bright ideas, Technology
July 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Cindy Brauer
As public sector fleets struggle to pursue environmental goals during the current tight financial times, the 2009 Green Fleet Conference, presenting all things green, will show fleets “where to find the money.”
Tags: conference, Green
June 2009, Government Fleet - 100 Best Fleets
By Editor
TORRANCE, CA – The award ceremony took place at the 2009 Government Fleet Expo & Conference, held June 8-10 in Denver, Colo., with Hillsborough County earning the No. 1 spot.
May 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
Are you paid enough? In 2008, public sector fleet manager salaries increased more than $4,200 over 2007 figures. By region, fleet managers in the West continue to pull in the highest salaries.
Tags: fleet manager salary, Salary, survey
May 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Paul Dexler
When Dave Cole at the City of Glendale, Calif. could not find qualified technicians for his shop, he partnered with a local college to set up an internship program.
Tags: City of Glendale, Intern, Technicians
May 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
Operating a 90-percent alternative-fuel fleet brings the City of Las Vegas to the forefront of the “going green” movement. The City utilizes its green fleet to prove alt-fuel viability.
Tags: alternative fuel, biodiesel, Las Vegas
May 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
By Staff
Fleet professional Frank Morgan invited friends and neighbors to celebrate his MBA achievement. The party sparked a grassroots project to support U.S. military veterans and their families.
Tags: Community Outreach, Fundraising, Veterans