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Transportation Cabinet
Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Comprehensive State Vehicle Study Begins
As part of Governor Ernie Fletcher’s initiative to identify the most cost effective and efficient manner for managing the state’s fleet of vehicles, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet began an inventory and inspection of all state-owned passenger vehicles today.
Secretary Bill Nighbert and Secretary Robbie Rudolph with the Finance and Administration Cabinet kicked off the inspection process at the State Office Building in Frankfort this morning.
The Cabinet anticipates the bulk of inventory to be complete by the end of the week.
“As my administration continues to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government, it is essential to have accurate accounting of all state vehicles so we can fully utilize our resources while ensuring added value to Kentucky taxpayers,” Governor Fletcher said.
One initial element of this multi-step initiative to better manage the vehicle fleet is to conduct physical inspections of each state vehicle. A complete inspection process has not been undertaken before.
“Past administrations have struggled with accountability of the state’s motor pool, and it is time to achieve a full visual and physical inspection,” Acting Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert said.
The State Auditor’s Office will be conducting audits of the inspection process at inventory sites in Elizabethtown, Louisville, Covington and Lexington.
Secretary Nighbert stated, “For state vehicles that don’t find their way to our inventory check points, we have a plan to motivate participation. Beginning next Monday, May 23rd, we will deactivate the gas credit cards assigned to vehicles that have not been counted. State employees will have to pay for their own gas until we track the vehicles down.”
"Every successful business conducts routine inventories of its stock to ensure everything is accounted for and is in good working order," Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Robbie Rudolph said. "Just as we keep track of our office equipment, we must also have an accurate and up-to-date inventory of all state vehicles."
Excluding Kentucky State Police and university vehicles, Fleet Management is currently responsible for approximately 5,360 vehicles. Other state agency vehicles account for more than 1,600 additional vehicles.
Because it is responsible for the vast majority of state vehicles, Fleet Management leverages stronger negotiating positions on vehicle purchases, fuel purchases and maintenance costs. Upon completion of the inventory, all state vehicles with a gross weight of ¾ ton or less and all passenger vehicles will be centralized under the Division of Fleet Management.
Secretary Nighbert added, “With high fuel costs, vehicle maintenance costs and the overall cost of doing business, fleet centralization is the right thing to do.”
NOTE: Additional information and inventory locations for the twelve districts are provided below.
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