CUMBERLAND - No more Allegany County-owned vehicles will be used for commuting outside the jurisdiction border.

The county commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution that restricts personal use of a county-owned vehicle to within the county. The move, designed to save the taxpayers money on ever-increasing fuel costs, impacts eight take-home vehicles assigned to personnel in the Sheriff's Office, Detention Center and Public Works.

About 47 of the county's 235 vehicles currently permitted to be driven to home and back by employees will remain so - for now. The commissioners resolved to further restrict the take-home policy by having department heads develop a strategy to reduce by 25 percent the number of take-home vehicles within each department over the next three years.

Commissioner Jim Stakem emphasized the change was relevant for commuting purposes and would not apply if, for example, a sheriff deputy's patrol car was assisting another agency while responding to an emergency.

A report, due by Sept. 1, will outline possible seasonal use of take-home vehicles, weigh the pros and cons of developing a vehicle pool within each department, and develop strategies to reduce fuel consumption by 10 percent and a comprehensive vehicle tracking system to monitor mileage, maintenance and fuel. The report is to recommend guidelines for the future purchase of county vehicles and discuss whether other cost-saving measures, such as the use of alternative fuels, are possible.

The resolution and motion followed the suggestion of a three-person committee, appointed by the commissioners, comprised of Finance Director Jerry Frantz, Acting County Administrator David Eberly and Human Resources Director Brian Westfall.

The committee said the 55 take-home vehicles amassed 1,190 miles per day in commuting, consuming approximately 20,600 gallons of fuel per year. The current annual cost of insurance and maintenance for each of those vehicles averages $1,175.

Commissioner Dale Lewis asked if the committee discussed whether the county could have employees reimburse the county a certain amount on a regular basis.

Frantz said that information will be included in the September report. One obstacle, he said, is to get around an Internal Revenue Service regulation that requires a daily $3 fee already paid by employees for certain vehicles.

"If we charge a fee, I think that would be a double hit (and) conflict" with the IRS, Frantz said. "We need a little bit more time (to discuss that option)."

There was some discussion as to when the new policy would take effect. County Attorney Bill Rudd said the resolution would be implemented "as soon as possible" and that it was "effective immediately," according to the language of the resolution.

Frantz, however, said department heads would be notified and that the eight employees would have to seek alternate ways to work beginning next week.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.