CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice wants to expand the scope of the state Fleet Management Office.
Justice’s bill would create a centralized inventory of the entire fleet, Justice administration Legislative Director Bob Ashley said in a video message released Monday.
“The goal is simple,” Ashley said. “Save taxpayers money and stop wasteful spending on state vehicles.”
Various audits over the past few years have come up with different numbers on how many vehicles there are. The Fleet Management Office currently doesn’t oversee all of the agencies, Ashley said.
“The governor’s proposal would expand the duties of the Fleet Management Office to keep track of all state vehicles including fuel usage, mileage, maintenance and purchases made by all agencies,” Ashley said.
The bill would also allow for some short-term vehicle rentals instead of purchases.
“To make our state operate more like a business, we must get a handle on all of our assets and liabilities,” Justice said in a prepared statement. “Keeping track of every state vehicle will ensure that state government isn’t wasting money on replacing vehicles. This is a way to streamline government, and when someone asks how many cars the state owns, we will have an exact answer.”
Various agencies in the Justice administration have eliminated 200 state vehicles since he took office last month.