Committee revises motor-vehicle policy to permit vetted volunteers to drive city vehicles; members press for stricter approvals and clearer accident reporting

The Waukesha City HR Committee approved revisions to the motor-vehicle-use policy that expand who may be authorized to operate city-owned vehicles and clarify driving-record and reporting requirements.

Staff noted the current policy read that "only city employees may operate city owned vehicles" and proposed revised language authorizing "only individuals authorized by the city" to drive city vehicles provided they meet background checks, motor-vehicle-record reviews, training and other requirements. Kaylee read the proposed wording aloud and said it was recommended by the city's risk-management insurer.

The committee discussed a points-based driving-record schedule staff proposed to determine eligibility: nine or fewer points = allowed; 10–19 points = HR director approval; 20 or more = not permitted without higher-level sign-off. A committee member moved to change the 20-point threshold to require both the City Administrator and HR Director's approval; the motion language included that change.

Members also debated where drug- and suspicion-testing language should live; staff said that material was removed from this policy and moved to the substance-testing policy. Committee members pressed staff to clarify accident-reporting timelines; one member proposed and the committee accepted the working phrasing "contact supervisor as soon as possible after accident occurs to report and follow any instructions provided."

A motion to approve the policy with the described changes was seconded and put to a voice vote. The transcript records mixed reaction and at least one committee member asked that their dissent be noted for the record; staff indicated the item will move on to the Common Council for final action.