When an operation takes home the No. 1 Leading Fleet award, its story do not end there. The leaders of these organizations are often asked to judge awards, including the Leading Fleets award, and former No. 1 operations that continue to perform at a high level are recognized as Elite Fleets. 

This year, five high-performing operations were recognized during the Honors Celebration at the Government Fleet Expo & Conference (GFX) as Elite Fleets: the City of Culver City, Calif.; City of Mesa, Ariz.; City of Boise, Idaho; City of Columbus, Ohio; and San Bernardino County, Calif. Since taking the No. 1 spot, each of these fleets has continued to improve their operation and set an example of innovation for fellow fleet managers.

We caught up with this year’s Elite Fleets to learn more about how they continue to improve their operations.

City of Culver City, Calif. • No. 1 in 2013

Led by Paul Condran, fleet services manager, and Allison Choen, management analyst

Key Stats:

• Fleet size: 637

• Staff size: 50

• Operating budget: $9M

• Facilities: 2

• Fueling sites: 3

Initiatives: Culver City is reviewing the application of battery-electric transit buses and front-loader refuse trucks. In June the fleet transitioned to 100% renewable natural gas and began selling low-carbon fuel credits through the State of California’s cap & trade programs. The city is also upgrading its bus system to incorporate AVL/GPS and alert users of real-time arrivals via smartphone.

Shows leadership byparticipating in industry discussions about the transition to new technology, such as autonomous vehicles and drive-by-wire solutions.

City of Mesa, Ariz. • No. 1 in 2014

Led by Pete Scarafiotti, CAFM, CEM, CPFP, fleet director & automotive engineer

Key Stats:

• Fleet size: 2,000

• Staff size: 90

• Operating budget: $18M

• Facilities: 3

• Fueling sites: 7, dispensing gasoline, biodiesel, and CNG

• Miles traveled annually: 1.5 million

Initiatives: For the first time in more than 40 years, the fleet brought motorcycle maintenance in house. In addition, the fleet continues to expand its parts consignment program to include more vendors, expand its contract retention program so vendors concentrate on satisfying contracts as soon as possible, and expand its warranty reimbursement program which brings in more than $500,000 in refunds annually.

Shows leadership by earning certifications and recognition across the industry from organizations such as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Coalition for Green Fleet Management, and Government Fleet Management Alliance.

City of Boise, Idaho • No. 1 in 2015

Led by Craig Croner, CPFP, administrative services manager

Key Stats:

• Fleet size: 1,544

• Staff size: 17.5

• Miles traveled annually: 4.6 million

• Facilites: 3

• Fuel dispensed annually: 491,000 gallons of unleaded, diesel, propane autogas, and E-85

Initiatives: The city is transitioning to a web-based fleet software that is scheduled to go live in August. The fleet is also expanding its use of fuel management software from six to nine fuel sites. In addition, the fleet has continued to replace older gas-powered vehicles in its motor pool with hybrid and battery-electric vehicles.

Shows leadership by collaborating with the Idaho Regional Fleet Group, which has expanded to 11 agencies. This year, the group created a cooperative purchasing agreement, continued its monthly meetings, and hosted regional training seminars. The city also hosted several regional fleet maintenance training seminars, attended by more than 50 participants from cities, counties, and states surrounding Idaho.

City of Columbus, Ohio • No. 1 in 2016

Led by Kelly Reagan, fleet administrator

Key Stats:

• Fleet size: 6,400

• Staff size: 138

• Operating budget: $38 million

• Facilities: 4

• Miles traveled annually: 24 million

• Work orders processed annually: 21,700

• Labor hours billed annually: 160,000

Initiatives: The city continues to implement its Smart City program, recently purchasing 93 electric vehicles and getting ready to purchase another 107 over the next 18 months. In July, the fleet opened a new fueling site with compressed natural gas, diesel, propane autogas, and unleaded fuel. With this addition, the city can close older fueling sites and further centralize its fueling operation.

Shows leadership by becoming an ASE testing facility. The city can now host exams for its fleet team as well as Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association (MEMA) Ohio chapter members. The city also insources motorcycle repairs, CNG operation & maintenance, and CNG fueling for neighboring entities.

San Bernardino County, Calif. • No. 1 in 2017

Led by Ron Lindsey, CAFS, director of fleet management

Key Stats:

• Fleet size: 6,000

• Staff size: 97

• Departments served: 52

• Fuel sites: 61

• Fuel dispensed annually: 2.8 million gallons of unleaded and diesel

• Miles traveled annually: 17.2 million

Initiatives: San Bernardino County has begun construction on a 24,000-sq.-ft. service center, is installing automated fuel tank monitoring at all fuel sites, is expanding insourcing beyond the $1 million revenue already brought in annually, and added environmentally friendly car washes to multiple sites.

Shows leadership as a member of NAFA and MEMA, assisting with recruitment and interview panels. San Bernardino County has hosted fleets interested in viewing the county’s motor pool and parts operations, and has assisted other fleets in developing replacement parameters.