Town gas use policy

I've had several people ask me about the town's gas use policy for town vehicles. So following the Feb 13 Town Manager's report, I figured that would be a perfect opportunity to ask the question and have the whole town get a quick tutorial. Unfortunately, I got the Heisman... and was yet again left with the feeling that open discussion is not welcome during Council meetings unless the majority knows where the discussion will lead.

Anyway... here's the clip of the brief discussion: And here's the followup answer from the TM on the gas use policy:

Gasoline is dispensed at the Public works garage and the Police Department. Employees who are eligible to dispense gasoline have individual access codes which they use to engage the pump. The respective departments receive monthly reports indicating the amount and frequency of an individual’s fill-ups, which is monitored by these respective departments.

...to which I wonder... yeah, it was 11:30pm, but how long would it have taken the TM to speak those words or simply say he was uncertain and would get back to me? Either of those answers would've left me feeling a lot better than the answer I got when I tried to ask a simple enough question.

Finally, for your reference... the TM also gave us a copy of the town vehicle use policy... that's the policy that governs the 170 or so vehicles in the town fleet (schools not included). Here's the policy:

Town vehicles are assigned for use to certain employees in conjunction with the employee’s performance of assigned, official Town duties. This policy establishes the parameters for the utilization of Town vehicles by employees in the performance of their duties. This policy does not apply to any vehicle assigned for use to the Town Manager.

Town vehicles are to be used for official Town business only in connection with the performance of an employee's assigned duties. Use of Town owned vehicles for personal purposes by an employee is prohibited, except as described below.

Certain employees who hold positions that may require them to return to duty during off duty hours on a frequent basis may be authorized to utilize a Town vehicle to commute to and from their places of work. This authorization is made for the convenience of the Town to enable employees to perform assigned duties required of them outside of normal working hours. Employees should limit the amount of personal stops made the amount of times family members are in Town vehicles. This provision shall apply to employees authorized by the Town Manager for this privilege. In general it will apply to the following Departments:

Police
Fire
Public Works
Building Inspection
Parks and Recreation

Employees authorized for use of Town vehicles for commuting, except for Police and Fire personnel, shall be subject to Treasury Internal Revenue Service Regulations relating to the taxation of fringe benefits and the Town will withhold taxes on the value of commuting use accordingly.

I have some thoughts on the gas use policy. But it's late and I'm beat. Any of you have any thoughts on the gas use policy? How 'bout the vehicle use policy?

Tim White