An Ohio parks agency director has come under scrutiny for dismissing 13 staff members including the maintenance supervisor, while purchasing new vehicles.

Mill Creek MetroParks' Aaron Young, who took over as executive director in January, has purchased $189,364 in vehicles since he took over. The agency spent $68,650 in 2013 and 2014, reports The Vindicator.

Young has defended the moves, saying the vehicle purchases were needed because maintenance costs were too high on older vehicles and the agency didn't have a replacement plan. The staff cuts were designed to streamline operations, he told the outlet.

MetroParks has reduced the size of its vehicle fleet to 80 from 84.