GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Audit: Indy-Vision Fleet Deal Poorly Executed

A new report from the Indianapolis Office of Audit and Performance faults the then-mayor Greg Ballard's administration for its poorly executed plan to lease 425 electric vehicles through Vision Fleet.

by Staff
August 24, 2016
2 min to read


A new report from the Indianapolis Office of Audit and Performance faults then-mayor Greg Ballard's administration for its poorly executed plan to lease 425 electric vehicles through Vision Fleet.

The deal lacked the controls needed to ensure the program's effectiveness, even though the electric vehicle program appears to embody the best interests of the city, according to the audit. City Council members are again looking into the contract, according to Fox59.

Ad Loading...

Ballard first signed the executive order in 2012, planning to have all 425 vehicles on the road by early 2016. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids started rolling out in 2014, but the order was met with conflict, most notably from Indianapolis City Council who criticized Ballard for signing the contract without consulting the council. The city was able to negotiate a new contract last December, lowering the leases from seven or eight years to four years and adding incentives for the city.

The Office of Audit and Performance looked at five contracts and one amendment between the city and Vision Fleet signed in 2014 and 2015. The report concluded that many terms were not clear within the contract, which makes performance difficult to verify and, therefore, ineffective.

The Vision Fleet deal goes through the city's Department of Public Works. However, the city lacks a centralized fleet manager, which left to each department to manage its own vehicles. The audit also noted problems within the cost structure, leaving no incentive for customer departments to use the vehicles efficiently.

Another part of the deal allows the city to receive vehicle utilization data from Vision Fleet. However, the audit noted that, with Vision Fleet in control of the data and no performance measures specified, there's no way to ensure the data received is valid or complete.

"It incentivizes Vision Fleet to supply data that is advantageous to its own reputation and profitability," according to the audit.

Ad Loading...

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 →
wheels geotab
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

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 →
Ad Loading...
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 →
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 →
Ad Loading...
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 →