TOPEKA, KS A new state audit said Kansas has saved $24.5 million since Governor Sebelius’ decision in 2003 to revamp the state’s vehicle policy, according to the Web site www.WIBW.com. The governor ordered excess vehicles sold and the central motor pool eliminated to shore up state revenues in 2003. The fleet was cut about 20 percent. In return, state employees were reimbursed for using their own vehicles for travel and a contract was initiated with Enterprise Rent-A-Car for the rest.

It was the second audit ordered by Republican legislators who have been skeptical that reducing the number of state-owned vehicles was a good policy. Senator Les Donovan, a Wichita Republican and car dealer, said ownership is the cheapest way to go for the state in the long run.

Auditors did find that in some cases there were not enough vehicles always available for employees and taxes and insurance were sometimes being charged. An Enterprise spokesman said the company was looking into the audit, according to www.WIBW.com.