A new audit caught Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger’s attention. Not just because of what was in it, but he has a personal connection.
Flickinger said he used to manage fleet fuel programs at private businesses 30 years ago, which is why he couldn’t believe it when he learned the city’s fuel cards aren’t assigned to each person.
“I was kind of surprised they didn’t have similar, and they’ve got multiple users of the same card, which I don’t understand how you can go back and hold any individual accountable,” Flickinger said.
Dah, Council Member Flickinger, that is the intent; you can’t find out who is doing what. No wonder Houston is the financial mess it is.
Thanks to Controller Chris Hollins for identifying the problem. Makes me wonder why the multi-million dollar that Mayor Whitmire paid for didn’t catch it?
Hollins, whose office did the audit, said they’re looking into possible misuse, including why certain fuel was purchased when the vehicle doesn’t use it. “We don’t have video of what took place in that moment and what car was being fueled in that moment, but there are some of these discrepancies that would at least make us want to say we need to look at this further,” Hollins explained.
Hollins said it’s not just misuse, but savings. Here’s why.
The audit shows the city pays a lot less for fuel than it is sold at gas stations. For unleaded fuel, it’s about 30 cents, and for diesel, it’s around 50 cents cheaper.
“If you can look across the street and it’s five cents cheaper, you’ll go over there,” Hollins said. “But when we can save 30 or 50 cents a gallon by using the city-owned fuel stations, that’s the importance of it because that adds up pretty quick.”
Hollins said because of the audit, they’re making changes, including knowing where the cards are and who’s using them. Also, they plan to increase training so city workers are using the correct pumps.