SAN BERNARDINO, CA - The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors plans to hire a consultant to conduct a "top-to-bottom" review of the county's 5,000 vehicles, which could lead to reductions and consolidation of its maintenance and repair operations, according to The Press-Enterprise.

In addition to the county's fleet management department, the Fire Department, Sheriff's Department, and special districts have separate operations overseeing their county vehicles. Most have their own maintenance and repair programs although the sheriff's department contracts out to private garages, said Gerry Newcombe, an associate county administrative officer.

The board is expected to award a contract, expected to cost around $100,000 to $150,000, in November and have the consultant complete the report by April, Newcombe told PE. With tighter budgets, he said it's a good time to explore ways to save money, according to PE.

Due in part to declining sales and property tax revenues, the county closed an $80.2 million shortfall in its budget adopted in June with an 8 percent across-the-board cut among departments and deferring salary increases, reported PE.