January 2009, Government Fleet - Feature
Polk County Incentivizes Employees to Reduce Fuel Costs
Polk County, Fla. is implementing a broad strategy to ensure employees who adhere to fuel-efficient guidelines share in the rewards.
By Mike Scott
County Garners Support
Polk County upper management authored a letter to all departments de-tailing a formalized fuel conservation plan that not only included the 55-mph restriction, but also encouraged the use of alternative fuels, such as electric and propane-powered vehicles. This strategy was also expected to lower other maintenance costs while enhancing safety, according to the letter written by Polk County Manager Michael Herr.
Details on the positive aspects of reducing or eliminating idling were also outlined in Herr's letter.
"The easiest way to save fuel is to turn off the engine," Herr wrote. As a result, "No Idle Zone" signs were posted at county buildings as a reminder to employees and to create public awareness of the program.
Also communicated to employees was the importance of fuel mileage improvements. Stanton drove one of his fleet vehicles daily over a two-week period. By keeping the mph down, eliminating idling, and taking other steps, he improved his fuel mileage by 12 percent.
"The reality is that it is difficult to en-force some of these policies, especially something such as reduced idling," said Stanton. "We affixed the 55-mph decals to the rear of our fleet vehicles to let residents know we are saving them money. While our employees were aware of recommended conservation strategies, we wanted to provide them with an incentive."
Polk County Practices Eco-Driving
In October, after the idling and alternative-fuel notices, education programs, and decal placement on fleet vehicles, Stanton approached Ford Motor Company to learn more about a training program they had developed to teach teenagers how to utilize better driving habits to save fuel costs and reduce vehicle wear. He proposed using a portion of the Ford program as part of an eco-driving training course for county employees.
Ford agreed to provide Stanton with a modified training template on a CD he can take to all county locations in the coming months. The one-hour eco-training pro-gram will be conducted at each site and Stanton expects more than 1,600 county employees will take the course by the end of January. Employees who take the eco-training program are eligible for financial incentives.
The incentives are available to county employees who mainly drive the same vehicle every day, because their individual progress can be accurately measured. They must agree to abide by all eco-driving principles they have learned. Their success will be closely monitored by Stanton's staff. He expects anyone who agrees to the guidelines will improve their mpg by at least 5 percent. The County can calculate improvement because it will track fuel expense at any given time.
At the end of a 12-month period or the conclusion of 2009, eligible employees who participate in the program will split the amount of money saved by adhering to county policies.
The strategy behind this program is simple, Stanton said. While all employees have the best of intentions in mind even without a financial incentive, they should be rewarded for putting such steps into practice. Stanton had no trouble convincing the county manager the plan would be effective and valuable.
A propane test unit bears Polk County’s 55-mph reminder decal.