Town policy would monitor mileage reimbursement
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

In an effort to cut costs in the Town of Amherst, Council Member Deborah Bruch Bucki reviewed the number of vehicles used by Town employees, and how they were being used.

"We needed to study the issue to create an applicable policy," Bucki said.

After a 10-month investigation she presented the first of a number of reports that will change the vehicle policy within in town.

The Town Board was scheduled to vote on the policy at its Tuesday meeting. The results will be announced in the Jan. 24 edition of The Amherst Bee.

Bucki said she was hoping for support from the Town Board on the proposed changes, especially the section on reimbursement for Town employees.

This could create a policy for all employees to follow for mileage reimbursement, which is $0.485 per mile. Within the policy the Comptroller's Office would verify the accuracy of the mileage reported by the employee.

The distance between the place of employment and the recorded home address would be reviewed.

"We definitely need to improve the reimbursement policy," she said.

Bucki also wants to see all town vehicles identified with the Amherst seal. This would not include undercover vehicles used in police investigations.

Prior to any official adoption of a town policy, Bucki said some department heads have already made adjustments. The Engineering Department has reduced its fleet by seven or eight cars, she said.

The vehicle review process started in March 2006 with a study of all vehicles used by the Town.

"The Motor Vehicle Policy represents only a first step toward regulating the overall size of the town's fleet of motor vehicles - particularly take-home vehicles - and toward ensuring the Town motor vehicles are used for Town purposes," she said.

Should the policy be approved as presented by Bucki it would include:

+ Expressly bans the use of any Town vehicle by any Town employee for purposes not related to providing services to Town residents.

+ Requires every Town employee who may use a Town vehicle to have a copy of his or her driver's license on file with the Town.

+ Requires the Town Board annually to approve all assignments of take home vehicles to Town employees.

+ Provides criteria by which the Town Board will determine whether to approve take-home vehicle assignments.

"The Motor Vehicle Policy that I propose incorporates ideas presented by Town of Amherst department heads and employees," she said.

The next Town Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5 at town hall, 5583 Main St., Williamsville. For agenda information, visit the Web site at www. amherst. ny. us.