Press Release
Rick Singh, Orange County Property Appraiser (OCPA) unveiled 30 new Toyota Prius vehicles which will now be used by field staff members as they travel Orange County appraising 439,676 parcels. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Chris Zaworski, Director for Enterprise Fleet Management, Britt Watty, Account Development Manager for Enterprise Fleet Management, and Thomas Hoang, District Training Manager for Southeast Toyota Distributors, joined Mr. Singh in the announcement.
The sustainable fleet is part of the Orange County Property Appraiser’s commitment to positively managing its impact on the environment and community. Each new Prius will offer significantly better fuel economy and lower emissions than many employees’ personal vehicles. Up until today, employees used their personal vehicles and then submitted for reimbursement from the agency for mileage driven in their personal vehicles.
“Transitioning to an agency-owned fleet advances our sustainability efforts and reduces the wear and tear on our employees’ personal vehicles,” said Singh. “OCPA employees need safe and reliable transportation to conduct their work throughout Orange County. This is a smart long-term investment in our employees, and in the health of our community.”
The move to using the Hybrid Synergy Drive ® Prius also saves tax dollars. The vehicle combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine. They work either together or separately to move the car in the most energy-efficient way. Over the next 10 years, taxpayers will realize a savings of nearly $779,000.
Since the 2004-2005 budget year until 2013-2014, the OCPA spent $1.9 million on operation of the fleet appraisal staff. Beginning this year and looking ahead 10 years, it is estimated the cost for these employees to do their work will be $1.1 million.
“This approach to field appraiser’s duties is a first for the OCPA and clearly shows a savings in tax dollars along with concern for our customers who will have the security of knowing the vehicle at their door or business is indeed that of an OCPA appraiser because of the vehicle’s markings,” said Singh.
Enterprise Fleet Management will provide vehicle registration and a fuel card program that automatically monitors fuel purchases and miles for each vehicle. The OCPA will also use Enterprise Telematics, a web-based application that helps manage fleet operations with real time diagnostic and location data to optimize fleet use, routing, logistics, engine diagnostics and safety. Once the vehicles have reached the optimum point in their lifecycle, Enterprise will leverage its remarketing expertise to auction and resell the vehicles for the OCPA office.
According to Enterprise Fleet Management’s Britt Watty, “Reimbursing employees for mileage in their personal vehicles can be a strain on an organization’s time and financial resources. Fleet programs free up those resources, while offering employees new, well-maintained vehicles that use cleaner vehicle technology.”
Watch for our field appraisers operating the new vehicles in your neighborhood as we can’t be missed!
