MANAGING PUBLIC SECTOR VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
The NLC survey reported that cities’ General Fund revenues have still not yet fully recovered from the 2006 recession and remain at less than 98% of that year’s levels.
A new report from the National League of Cities (NLC) finds that cities are in a better fiscal condition than the year before, with city revenues nearing pre-recession levels.
The economy is undoubtedly improving, and oftentimes, public fleet finances are improving along with it. In a Government Fleet survey, 59% of respondents said their fleet finances are back to pre-recession levels and 80% said they’re optimistic about the future, but others still face challenging times and fear their budgets will never get back to “normal.”
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake proposed a 2014 fiscal-year budget that aims to close a $30 million budget shortfall by shifting funding from City’s Mobile Equipment Fund and changing the City’s vehicle purchasing method to a lease finance model.
CHICO, CA - The City of Chico's Central Garage was able to save the replacement fund $1.6 million and saved $85,234 in reduced fuel consumption in the past three years.
WASHINGTON - According to a study from the National League of Cities, the nation's cities are cutting personnel and infrastructure projects as the economic downturn continues to take its toll on city finances.
The City of Troy’s Sam Lamerato was awarded Government Fleet magazine’s 2011 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year honor. Lamerato helped implement a successful insourcing program, and led to the City’s No. 1 spot in the “100 Best Fleets” in 2010.
ST GEORGE, UT – For the first time in three years, the City of St. George has adopted a budget, for 2011-2012, that allows the fleet to replace a number of vehicles.
TULSA, OK - The police union has been asked to give up officer take-home vehicles used outside city limits in order to save jobs and the helicopter and mounted patrol units.
OCEAN CITY, MD - City Manager Dennis Dare said the "right-sizing" means Ocean City won't have to resort to layoffs or furloughs as the state makes further cuts to municipal government aid.