SAN DIEGO – The San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen’s group promoting cost-efficient government operations, presented a Golden Watchdog award to the City of San Diego’s Fleet Services Division.

The annual SDCTA awards program “honor programs that exemplify efficient use of tax-dollars.” The group also hands out Golden Fleece awards to what it considers “examples of wasteful or inefficient government spending.”

The San Diego’s Fleet Services team, under the direction of John Alley, CAFM, deputy director, was recognized for consolidating all city fleet services, including municipal, police, and fire departments, into one division, resulting in a first-year savings of $3.5 million.

The consolidation, resulting from a business process reengineering project, is also expected to decrease operating costs by 10 to 15 percent and budget costs by 10 percent annually. Other consolidation benefits include a reduction of unscheduled maintenance, more timely purchase of fleet vehicles, and increased preventative maintenance.

The streamlining plan also earned the fleet team a 2008 NAFA Fleet Management Association Larry Goill Award for Quality Fleet Management Ideas.

The SDCTA announced its program winners at the 13th Annual Golden Watchdog/Golden Fleece Awards dinner on May 29. San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Council President ScottPeters, and Alley accepted the Fleet Services award.