GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Hernando County Dealing With Gas Crisis

BROOKSVILLE, FL – Hernando County Fleet Director Jack Stepongzi said he’s paying about $3.50 to $3.60 per gallon to gas up his 500-vehicle fleet.

by Staff
June 4, 2008
2 min to read


BROOKSVILLE, FL – Hernando County Fleet Director Jack Stepongzi said he’s paying about $3.50 to $3.60 per gallon to gas up his 500-vehicle fleet. And even with a discounted wholesale rate, costs are skyrocketing, according to www2.hernandotoday.com.

In October 2007, the county’s fuel bill was $182,300, and at the end of April, it was $220,420, a 21-percent increase.

Ad Loading...

Stepongzi has already taken measures to save money. He has cut about 25 vehicles from the fleet because of low usage. Other cost-saving measures include:

· Using vehicles for dual tasks. For example, dump trucks can be converted to flatbed trucks by swapping truck bodies.  

· Considering using electric engines.

· Looking into the feasibility of hydrogen-fueled vehicles.

· Driving existing vehicles longer before getting them replaced with more expensive models.

Ad Loading...

· Conducting a vehicle analysis of each department to determine if a less expensive car or truck would better meet employee needs.

Stepongzi said he is also tightening up on the vehicle usage policy to make sure employees are adhering to the rules.

Hernando County’s two-page policy spells out in broad, general terms the restrictions for employee use. It states that only county employees can use the vehicle and only for county functions. No personal use is allowed. County vehicles can’t be driven to and from work. Employees who violate the policy can be disciplined or fired.

Stepongzi also hopes to implement in June a program called “Fuel Focus” that will allow department managers to better keep tabs on employees who use county vehicles and cut down on possible misuse. With Fuel Focus, 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.

With the software, transponder, and other assorted hardware, Fuel Focus will cost the county about $720,000. Stepongzi is also hoping to install Global Positioning System (GPS) units in county vehicles by the end of the year, which would further cut back on misuse, according to www2.hernandotoday.com.





More Operations

 the GFX main stage.
Operationsby Staff WriterJune 4, 2026

Public Fleet Professionals Set to Converge as GFX Gets Underway

Known as the largest gathering of public fleet professionals in the nation, GFX will feature in-depth training sessions, emerging fleet technologies, and access to leading suppliers and service providers.

Read More →
A blueprint with tool graphics and text about technicians.
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiJune 1, 2026

The Technician Pipeline: Finding, Keeping, and Promoting Techs Within the Operation

A look at where to find good talent, what fleets are doing to incentivize those techs to stay within the fleet, and what promotion looks like for a technician within the public sector.

Read More →
a youtube graphic of fleet images.
OperationsJune 1, 2026

5 Public Fleet Stories Worth Revisiting Before GFX | The May Dispatch

Public fleet leaders are being asked to prepare for more, communicate better, and make decisions that hold up under pressure.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
White cargo van driving on a paved road with trees and greenery in the background.
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Drive More Profit with Greater Fleet Uptime

Fleet downtime costs money. JASPER helps keep vehicles on the road with quality remanufactured components, fast nationwide delivery, and reliable solutions that boost uptime and profitability.

Read More →
fleetio coast pay
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Read More →
A graphic of a fire department logo.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMay 28, 2026

Minneapolis Fire Department Prepares to Add Three New Pierce Enforcer Pumpers to Front-Line Fleet

The order, secured through Pierce dealer MacQueen, marks the department’s move from commercial chassis pumpers to Pierce custom fire apparatus designed to meet the operational demands of Minnesota’s largest city.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Larry Campbell at GFX 2025
Operationsby Jeanny RoaMay 28, 2026

The Human Side of Fleet Leadership: Lessons from Larry Campbell

As public fleets navigate rapid change through AI, telematics, and increasing operational pressures, Larry Campbell believes the fundamentals of leadership matter more than ever. The longtime fleet leader reflects on accountability, integrity, and why earning trust remains the foundation of a successful fleet operation.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for a fleet management whitepaper titled “From Data Overload to Decisive Action: 5 Steps to Drive Smarter Fleet Decisions.” The design features a row of white commercial fleet vans, blue and lime-green branding, and supporting text about using telematics data to improve fleet performance, driver behavior, safety, and operational decision-making. A highlighted quote reads, “The challenge is no longer collecting data. The challenge is using it effectively.” The Utilimarc logo appears at the bottom alongside the website URL.
SponsoredMay 28, 2026

Turn Fleet Data Into Smarter Decisions

Fleet leaders have access to more operational data than ever, but disconnected systems and unclear metrics often slow decision-making instead of improving it. This article outlines five practical steps fleets can take to transform fragmented data into actionable insights that improve planning, safety, utilization, and long-term performance.

Read More →
a graphic of a tablet with city vehicles.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMay 26, 2026

RoadFlex Brings Fleet Spend Management to the Field with Mobile App for Drivers, Fleet Managers

Through the RoadFlex mobile app, drivers can access their assigned cards, view recent transaction activity, and upload receipts directly from their mobile devices.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
MD patrol boat on water
Policeby Staff WriterMay 20, 2026

Maryland Natural Resources Police Adds 31-Foot Patrol Boat to Enforcement Fleet

A new addition to Maryland’s marine enforcement fleet is bringing expanded capabilities to Chesapeake Bay operations while honoring a legacy within the agency. The high-performance patrol vessel reflects how law enforcement fleets are adapting to growing demands on the water.

Read More →