Ryan Rhodes, director of the Department of Fleet, told the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners that the county’s fleet policy had been rewritten beginning in 2022 and reviewed by multiple departments and two law firms. "The fleet policy before you today is something we started working on back in 2022," Rhodes said, and he asked the board to approve a Jan. 1 rollout to align the policy with the county employee handbook.

The policy updates, Rhodes said, provide "clear guidelines for acquiring, maintaining, and retiring vehicles" and aim to improve efficiency and reduce costs. In response to commissioner questions about mileage and fuel consumption, Rhodes said the county now has GPS systems in all vehicles and that monitoring features are referenced in the policy handout.

Commissioner Hazen and other board members pressed for enforcement details; Rhodes said the policy includes discretionary enforcement language that would allow action if employees violate rules, and that oversight could be exercised by department heads or by fleet staff if internal processes fail. On smoking, Rhodes stated, "Smoking has not been allowed in vehicles and will continue to not be allowed in vehicles," and explained the practical and resale costs of smoke-contaminated vehicles.

Board members also discussed vehicle identification tied to a new fuel ID system scheduled to begin collecting data in January; Rhodes said the new system will permit consistent vehicle numbering and make fuel tracking easier. After discussion, a motion to approve the fleet policy was made, seconded and approved by recorded "Aye" votes from commissioners present.

The policy will move forward with the planned January rollout and with the GPS- and fuel-ID-supported monitoring tools in place.