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OREM — Are taxpayer-funded vehicles being used for business or pleasure?
The question was raised after a photo was taken showing a state-owned vehicle parked near Disneyland in California. Using the license plate number, the state fleet office tracked the van down to Utah Valley University. It turned out that the California excursion was an approved business trip, allowing an employee to attend an American College of Sports Medicine health and fitness summit.
Everything and every place that they want to go while they are in a state-owned vehicle has to be pre-approved.
–Vicky Schoenfeld, Department of Administrative Services.
#schoenfeld_q
But UVU discovered that the employee failed to get special authorization to drive the van to and from a recreational activity, in this case Disneyland.
Is authorization necessary? Absolutely says the spokeswoman for the state's fleet operations.
“Everything and every place that they want to go while they are in a state-owned vehicle has to be pre-approved,” said Vicky Schoenfeld with the Department of Administrative Services.
The pre-authorization is needed because there are liability issues.
"The state also wants to feel very transparent about how we're using state dollars,” Schoenfeld said. “I think recreation that hasn't been approved is up to scrutiny."
UVU agrees. In a written statement, the university said that "while the institution believes that this infraction was not deliberate in nature, the employee has been appropriately disciplined."
Schoenfeld said there should be no ambiguity, and to make sure, the state holds quarterly meetings outlining the rules.
There are 7,300 state-owned vehicles on the road. Schoenfeld said if you see a driver doing something he or she shouldn't, the state wants to know.
The state's complaint form is on the department's website at fleet.utah.gov/forms/howsmydriving.html. The state says it investigates every complaint thoroughly.
Email:lprichard@ksl.com
