Orange County Property Appraiser (OCPA) Rick Singh unveiled 30 new Toyota Prius vehicles April 22 that now will be used by field staff members as they travel Orange County, Fla., appraising its 439,676 parcels. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined in the announcement.
The sustainable fleet is part of the Orange County property appraiser’s commitment to positively managing its impact on the environment and community. Each new Prius will offer significantly better fuel economy and lower emissions than many employees’ personal vehicles. Up until the announcement, employees used their personal vehicles on the job, and then submitted for reimbursement from the agency for mileage driven in their personal vehicles.
“Transitioning to an agency-owned fleet advances our sustainability efforts and reduces the wear-and-tear on our employees’ personal vehicles,” Singh said. “OCPA employees need safe and reliable transportation to conduct their work throughout Orange County. This is a smart long-term investment in our employees and in the health of our community.”
The move to using the more sustainable fleet also will save tax dollars, because the vehicles combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine to move the car in the most energy-efficient way.
From the 2004-2005 budget year until 2013-2014, the OCPA spent $1,865,559 on operation of the fleet appraisal staff. Beginning this year and looking ahead 10 years, it is estimated the cost for these employees to do their work will be $1,086,600.
“This approach to field appraisers’ duties is a first for the OCPA and clearly shows a savings in tax dollars, along with concern for our customers, who will have the security of knowing the vehicle at their door or business is indeed that of an OCPA appraiser because of the vehicle’s markings,” Singh said.
Singh thanked Orange County and the municipalities in the county where field appraisers live during the announcement for working with OCPA to establish parking spaces at night, and on weekends, where the vehicles can be safely parked.
Enterprise Fleet Management will provide vehicle registration and use reporting, as well as a fuel card program that automatically monitors fuel purchases and miles for each vehicle. Once the vehicles have reached the optimum point in their lifecycle, Enterprise will auction and resell the vehicles for the OCPA office.
“Reimbursing employees for mileage in their personal vehicles can be a strain on an organization’s time and financial resources,” Enterprise Fleet Management Account Development Manager Britt Watty said. “Fleet programs free up those resources, while offering employees new, well-maintained vehicles that use cleaner vehicle technology.”