EL PASO, TEXAS – A recently formed El Paso motor pool committee that looked into vehicle and fuel use has presented its findings to the County Commissioners Court, according to www.elpasotimes.com.

Excluding vehicles of the Sheriff’s Office and the Road and Bridge Department, about 170 county vehicles were found — some older, some newer models. The exact number of county vehicles was previously unknown.

The committee recommended that once the Commissioners Court decides to act on creating a motor pool, the court will require anyone with a county vehicle to turn it in within three months. A motor pool would then be created with the county’s vehicles, and employees would be required to check out the cars. The committee also recommended that all auto allowances be cut off. Employees would also be required to trade fuel cards for new cards, which can track who is using which card for what vehicle, and whether an excess of fuel is being purchased.

The committee recommended that the county store the vehicles at a county facility, freeing space by eliminating free parking for any county employees. Employees would no longer be allowed to take vehicles home.

A motor pool coordinator would be hired to manage a reduced fleet of about 15 to 20 vehicles, and a mechanic could also be hired to take care of them. In addition, only employees who now have access to vehicles would be allowed to access the motor pool.