Thu
Jul 10 2008
07:30 pm
Knox Co. government vehicle records now online
By: R. Neal

Knox County has put government vehicle records online for public review:

In our continuing effort to keep the public informed and to provide transparency in government, we are adding our fleet records to the procurement card files and budget files that we are already making available on our website.

According to the website, records for "drive-home vehicles" do not include the Sheriff's Department or the Schools Department because they have not provided the information.

Topics:
B Harmon's picture

Unlimited free gasoline?

Submitted by B Harmon on Thu, 2008/07/10 - 7:58pm.

I wonder if there is a policy for who can use the county gasoline pump to fuel these take home vehicles. The video on WATE tonight showed Mike Arms filling up and it did not look like a Pilot station. If there is a policy, does it say how often they can fill up? Is there any record kept for all those that do fill up there, such as charging it back to their department?

Just wondering. That sure would be a nice perk right now.

When I had a company car, I paid for the gas and got paid mileage when I submitted my expense report for any trips for company business.

Factchecker's picture

I don't get it, Big Dan

Submitted by Factchecker on Thu, 2008/07/10 - 9:51pm.

Why would office workers be provided a car at all? Perks are so 20th century. What makes workers on tax payrolls special?

If it's because we can't afford to pay them decent salaries, we need to figure how to do that. Or at least provide them with efficient car pools and make a model program out of it.

reform4's picture

Want the KCSD records, go to my site:

Submitted by reform4 on Thu, 2008/07/10 - 10:02pm.

reform4.blogspot.com

Click on "Vehicles2"

Funny, I got ahold of them. Maybe I should be mayor.

-----------------------------------------
Fighting for Reform and Representation, Fourth District
Steve Drevik, Commission Seat 4-B
(link...)

rocketsquirrel's picture

man, I misread that the

Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Thu, 2008/07/10 - 10:49pm.

man, I misread that the first time. I was hoping I could look up Knox County vehicle records and run the tag of that meth addict that almost ran me off the road the other day.

now that would be sweet.

Dwight Van de Vate's picture

Steve's a nice guy, but not ready to be Mayor.

Submitted by Dwight Van de Vate on Fri, 2008/07/11 - 9:08am.

The file "Drive-home vehicles" does not include the Sheriff's Department or the Schools Department as we have not yet received their updated information. That file will be updated when the information becomes available.

As Susanne has noted in the above paragraph, we do not have records that detail drive home vehicle information for the Sheriff's Office. The records posted on Steve's website do not include this information either.

Fleet Management is entirely at the mercy of the various departments for information on where and to whom a vehicle is assigned, how it is used, whether or not it is a take-home vehicle and so forth. Some agencies will provide this; others take the position that this information is strictly the prerogative of the office holder.

Obviously for agencies and departments outside the executive branch, there is widespread variation in reporting. The records we have posted reflect this variation.

Dwight Van de Vate
Chief Administrative Officer
Knox County Mayor's Office

Knoxquerious's picture

Wha?

Submitted by Knoxquerious on Fri, 2008/07/11 - 9:14am.

Tim and JJ not producing records which are considered to be public information?

Surely you jest!

reform4's picture

just to clarify..

Submitted by reform4 on Fri, 2008/07/11 - 11:40am.

You mean the records I have don't identify drive-home vehicles specifically, correct? You don't mean to say that there are more vehicles than are in my list, I assume.

With 2 patrol cars for every 1 patrol officer, I would think/hope so.... :)

Rigsby Werner's picture

Park them like the City did, none of them are essential needs

Submitted by Rigsby Werner (not verified) on Fri, 2008/07/11 - 9:46am.

It's not necessary for the taxpayers to provide these employees a ride, particularly late model vehicles, mostly SUVs which burn much more fuel than the rest of the smaller autos that most hardworking taxpayers drive and pay for on their own.

I'd challenge all of them to turn their vehicles in and suck it up like the rest of us, buy their own cars and buy their own gas and then go about their duties sensitized to the rest of the circumstances we are.

In my opinion, Ragsdale's failed economic development efforts are based on his absence of understanding and personal financial expenses for what it costs to buy a tank of gas, what it costs to get on an airplane, what it costs to sit down for a meal in a restaurant these day, or what it costs to check into a hotel, he's got us picking up the tabs for everything he does.

He doesn't get it because he doesn't have to spend it.

Bird_dog's picture

Do other Counties provide vehicles?

Submitted by Bird_dog on Fri, 2008/07/11 - 11:11am.

WATE reports that Davidson County has zero - not even the mayor - compared to 150 in Knox county. (link...)

knoxvegas99's picture

"Some agencies will provide

Submitted by knoxvegas99 on Fri, 2008/07/11 - 12:34pm.

"Some agencies will provide this; others take the position that this information is strictly the prerogative of the office holder."

Dwight: Surely you don't mean to say that these other agencies are stonewalling the mayor's office? (I can help if you need assistance writing a public records request.)

Larry Van Guilder

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