Game and Fish Commission to slash vehicle fleet

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on Wednesday adopted changes to its policy on agency vehicles that will slash its fleet by up to 165 vehicles.

The move comes a day after Gov. Mike Beebe signed an executive order eliminating commuting in some state vehicles starting Nov. 1 unless a waiver is granted.

Beebe had singled out the 658 vehicles at the Game and Fish Commission as causing him the most concern, particularly because the agency only has 613 employees. The Game and Fish Commission is constitutionally independent and therefore doesn't answer to the governor, but Beebe said he hoped it and others would comply with his executive order.

During its special meeting, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission adopted a minute order it expects will reduce its 658-vehicle fleet by up to 165 vehicles. The order directs any Game and Fish employee who spends less than 60 percent of their time in the field, or who does not require full-time use of a vehicle to carry out their duties, to give up their commission-owned vehicle.

Interim Director Loren Hitchcock said the policy revision is better way of for the commission to do business.

"The fleet management policy we have had in place was established 20 years ago. Over that time, custom and tradition have seemed to dictate policy. We're ending that today," Hitchcock said. "By virtue of a job title, staff will no longer automatically be assigned a vehicle. That starts with me."

Hitchcock said 70 vehicles that have already been scheduled for liquidation.

All but one of the commissioners voted for adopting the new policy.

Ron Duncan said he might ultimately support the revised policy, but said he'd "like to have a few more weeks to review the information before voting."

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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