COLUMBUS, OHIO - Crediting city hall leadership, City of Columbus Fleet Administrator Kelly Reagan has instituted significant changes to the public sector fleet, including a reduced carbon footprint, decreased fuel consumption, centralized operations, and an increased use of CNG.

The current administration, under Mayor Michael Coleman, has enabled the City of Columbus fleet to "become an industry leader and make the migration from fleet maintenance to fleet management," said Reagan.

The City of Columbus fleet has rolled seven locations into one, $27 million centralized location and developed and implemented the first major "Green Fleet Action Plan" in the Midwest. By right-sizing fleet vehicles, the City has reduce fuel consumption by 3 percent (or 36,000 gallons) and purchased its first CNG refuse truck. The plan won the fleet the "Clean Fuels Ohio Champion Award."

The fleet currently utilizes biodiesel fuel in more than 50 percent of its diesel fleet vehicles.

To become more efficient and reduce city holding costs, COC has "shaved inventory by more than 40 percent year-over-year," noted Reagan.

The City fleet was awarded a $1.3 million grant for reducing its carbon footprint, which will be used for purchasing CNG trucks and installing DPF and DOC technologies.

"We recently went to an online auction for selling vehicles and equipment," said Reagan, increasing proceeds by more than 40 percent this year, over the same period in 2008."

COC is the largest ASE Blue Seal-recognized city in the U.S., with more than 26 master technicians. More than 17 technicians hold 33 EVT certifications and education continues to be the City's focus.

"The City is investing in our future by investing in training our employees. All this reduces expenses in parts and services and enables use to provider better, more timely repairs inhouse," said Reagan.