Council reviews revised fleet policy that narrows authorized drivers, adds Georgia license and city manager authority for take‑home vehicles

City staff presented a revised fleet policy at the March 10 Stonecrest work session that reworks driver authorization, training, and take‑home vehicle rules and will return for council approval at a future meeting.

The presenter (identified in the record as Mr. Powell/Reggie) said the revisions aim to align operating language and to add clarity. Key changes include replacing multiple job titles with a single “facility operations manager” responsible for certain functions; excluding temporary employees from the policy’s authorized‑driver definition; and requiring a city driver‑acknowledgment form and completion of fleet vehicle training before a person may operate a city vehicle.

The policy now specifies that authorized drivers must possess a valid Georgia driver’s license and be at least 18 years old. It also requires consent to driver expectations set out in training and clarifies that anyone riding in a city vehicle must be participating in official city business. The largest operational change gives the city manager (or the manager’s designee) authority to approve all take‑home vehicle requests and establishes rules to limit the number of such assignments; the policy also explicitly includes approved take‑home assignments for staff who must respond to emergencies to protect life and property.

Councilmembers asked about the Georgia license requirement and how it applies to staff who relocate from other states. City staff and the city manager said state rules require a Georgia license (and registration) to be insured by the state, and the city will run motor vehicle records to check driving histories. Council members also discussed disciplinary consequences for violations, which staff said can range from temporary loss of vehicle privileges to termination depending on the nature of the violation; discipline for elected officials may require council action or ethics procedures depending on the case.

Councilmembers noted a minor typo and asked staff to return the revised policy to the next regular council meeting for formal consideration with grammatical corrections and the stated take‑home authority language preserved.