Committee backs trial of fuel-card pilot for deputies to reduce overtime and travel time

County staff described a planned pilot to allow sheriff deputies to use a fuel card at participating gas stations rather than returning to the public works facility to refuel. Staff and supervisors said the change aims to reduce overtime and time spent traveling back to fuel and would be tested as a trial to measure net savings.

"This will give them the opportunity to start their shift fueled up," said a supervisor supporting the pilot, explaining that deputies sometimes run long calls and may not be able to return to the office to refill. Staff said the pilot will include those who report to the office daily as a control group and the county will evaluate whether off-site fueling is cost-effective before broader rollout.

Supervisors asked whether per-gallon costs and grade-of-fuel choices would undermine savings; a staff member noted differences in fuel grades and that not all vendors accept the county's procurement card for bulk purchases. Staff expects to return with trial results within a couple of months.