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Show Utah Motor Pool Operation Study Shows Administration Deficiencies "The Utah Motor Pool has been loosely administered in the past and has not functioned in the way that was originally intended." This was the major conclusion reached reach-ed by Utah Foundation, the private, non-profit governmental govern-mental research organization, in an exhaustive survey of state travel in Utah. Among the specific shortcomings in motor pool operations oper-ations noted by Foundation an-. alysts are the following: 1. Until recently n:ost cars in the pool were permanently assigned, as-signed, thereby creating an arti-ficial arti-ficial shortage of vehicles for trip-to-trip use. 2. Travel by private automobiles automo-biles has not been effectively controlled. In fiscal 1956, for example, ex-ample, reimbursements for the use of private vehicles amounted to almost three times as much as did payments by the departments to the State Motor Pool for use of state-owned vehicles. 3. Record keeping concerning motor pool operations has been Inadequate. 4. No systematic program of preventive mantenance has been followed. 5. Motor pool cars and other equipment have not been adequately ade-quately protected from the risks of theft and vandalism. 6. Opportunity for economy In the purchase of gasoline and other supplies has not been utilized. util-ized. 7. Administrative controls are inadequate to prevent abuses in the use of state cars. The Utah Foundation report observes that some decided improvements im-provements in motor pool operations opera-tions have occurred since the appointment of a new motor pool director in April, 1957. The study notes, however, that additional reforms are needed if the pool is to be operated in an efficient business-like manner. Sixteen specific recommendations de,- j signed to improve motor pool( operations are listed in the report. re-port. Despite the shortcomings In the operations of the State Motor Pool, travel costs in Utah have been held in check during the past eight years, according to the Foundation study. During the five-year period 1911 through 1919 expenditures for state travel tra-vel alomst doubled. Between 1949 and 1956, however, the increase in state travel costs has been only two per cent. Travel by public officials and employees currently is costing the state of Utah close to $1,-000,000 $1,-000,000 per year, he report continues. con-tinues. Approximately 86 of I the reported state travel expense in fiscal 1956 was for in-state j travel while 14 was for out-of-state travel. The Foundation points out that the number of out-of-state trips authorized by the board of ex- ami.ners declined sharply by nearly 30 between 1948 and 1957. The study notes, however, "that an examination of out-of. state travel authorization for the the past 12 months indicates a decided lack of uniformity in the maximum amounts allowed and the actual amounts spent for specific trips." It suggests adoption of formal standards for determining maximum amounts allowed for out-of-state trips, perhaps on the basis of actual rail or plane fare plus an amount for each day that the oificial or employee is engaged in official state business. |