DETROIT – As gasoline prices climb and budgets get tighter, city officials are looking to scale back on the use of city-owned vehicles. Within weeks, a committee will be formed to scrutinize the city’s fleet of 600, including 67 take-home vehicles used daily by department heads and law enforcement officials, said Mayor Jack Kirksey, according to www.detnews.com.

The committee, which will include representatives from the Livonia’s four unions representing police, fire, clerical, and public service workers and foremen, will conduct an inventory, reviewing practices and policies to ensure there aren’t “unintended abuses,” Kirksey said.

From there, stricter monitoring will be done of the city’s $14 million fleet, which includes everything from dump trucks and graders to unmarked cars used by high-ranking police officers and city department heads.

Estimates associated with gasoline, maintenance, and insurance fees will also be compiled.

Of the take-home vehicles, valued at about $1.2 million, Kirksey said 37 cars assigned to detectives and intelligence officers for drug surveillance and investigative work won’t likely be affected.