Earle councilman wants switch to gas card system

Earle councilman wants switch to gas card system

Cross says ‘ foolproof system’ better for city

news@theeveningtimes.com

An Earle city councilman would like to see the city buy an automated gasoline card system to better help the city keep track of its fuel usage.

Councilman Kenneth Cross told the council that installing a Fleet Master system which keeps detailed records of who is filling up would save the city money in the long run. “I think it would be a very good thing for the city and I think it is a system that would be well worth the money,” Cross said.

High gasoline usage has long plagued Earle, but the city has since changed its accounting system to where users must now get a city credit card from city hall each time a vehicle is fueled.

In the past, the city was spending as much as $12,000 a month on fuel at the city gas pumps.

Since then, the city is only spending about $1,000 a month on gas.

The city talked about buy- ing an automated gas system two years ago under former Mayor Otis Davis, but decided it was too expensive.

Cross said Crittenden County Sheriff Mike Allen has a similar system at the Sheriff’s Department.

The automated system keeps detailed records of who is using gas, how much they used, and which vehicle it was for. Users have a unique PIN number they have to enter in order for the pumps to dispense any fuel.

“I think it is a foolproof system,” Cross said. “There won’t be any stealing gas.

It brings up all kinds of reports. So if a red flag comes up, that means we need to be monitoring whoever. If someone is using more gas than they should, the report is going to tell it all.”

Cross admits the cost will be high initially — $36,000 — but will save the city money in the long run.

“I think it will save us a lot of money‚ maybe not on the front end. But on the back end,” Cross said.

“Right now we are paying whatever it costs at the

pump.” The city could save some money if they can do the electrical work and the concrete

work for the system,

Cross said.

Councilman Bobby Luckett said he is skeptical, but will keep an open mind.

“It sounds good,” Luckett said. “We have paid some big money — sometimes $10,000 a month. But in this new system we are only spending $1,200 a month. So if it is working, why should we change it?”

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham questioned whether it made sense to buy the system for a city as small as Earle.

“I’m wondering if we have the volume,” Barham said.

“Is it applicable to a city our size?”

Cross said it seems like a waste to him not to be using the city’s gas tanks.

“I think so,” Cross said to Barham. “If we’re paying $2.15 at the pump, that’s what we’re paying. We’re not saving anything. So why not use it?”

The city spent $1,086 on gas this month and $900 the month before.

Officials at the time discussed putting up a fence around the gas tanks and even installing cameras.

Luckett said the city gas tanks have always been a problem.

“We changed lock after lock after lock,” Luckett said. “And it was the same thing. It (city’s gas cost) still went up, up, and up.

Those tanks have been a thorn in our side since I’ve been here. We tried to figure out where it was going.

Nobody knows. We were running out of gas in three weeks. Then we went to this system. That’s why we are so reluctant about those tanks.”

Barham agreed.

“All I’m saying is let’s see if it is workable,” Barham said. “I’m all for looking in to it.”

Cross said he would have a representative from Fleet Master available at the next city council meeting, but encouraged his colleagues to go see the system out at the Sheriff’s Department.

“This is not for us to decide tonight,” Cross said.

“I was just bringing this to your attention to save some money. I think we can do better. That $36,000 will be paid off in three years.”

By Mark Randall