Local Government Manatee County Fleet Services Receives More International Recognition

MANATEE COUNTY – For the ninth consecutive year, Government Fleet magazine has selected Manatee County Fleet Services as one of the top 100 public sector fleets in North America, out of an estimated 38,000 across the continent.

In listing the top fleets, the publication noted that Manatee Fleet Services, ”Provided efficiency and effectiveness by challenging old principles and beliefs, updating policies and procedures, and refining core functions to eliminate unnecessary steps." Also over the past year, Fleet integrated web-based and wireless technologies and consolidated small engine and turf equipment maintenance operations.

”Every professional team is honored to be recognized by their peers as being the best of the best,“ said Manatee County Public Works Director Ron Schulhofer. ”Team Fleet has had that distinction for nine consecutive years. Continually challenging their past achievements to improve efficiencies has become a trademark which has contributed to this remarkable record.“

Fleet Services Manager Mike Brennan said recent technology upgrades, updated policies and increased efficiencies have all played a part in ranking the Manatee shop among the best of the best and in preparing it for the future. But he gave all the credit to a hardworking group of technicians, material management staff and administrative professionals who always get the job done safely and on time.

”We’ve got a solid program for nine years plus,“ Brennan said. ”We’ve been a very efficient program. We keep things lean and mean. That’s the core of what gets us in the top 100 every time. We look for ways to save money."

”We’ve refined and updated policies; we’ve upgraded technologies to be more efficient in the future; we’ve refined core functions, and in refining our preventative maintenance program, we’ve cut our labor time almost 20 minutes per service.“

Manatee Fleet Services is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of 862 on-road vehicles and 460 off-road units.

New technologies are also being used to remotely track meter data, fuel consumption, vehicle usage and emissions so crews can schedule preventative rather than reactive maintenance on vehicles.