Who pumps city gas isn’t always clear

CALLAWAY – City Commissioner Bob Pelletier is concerned about where city gas is going.

At a meeting Tuesday night, Pelletier noted that 118 gallons of diesel fuel were used on April 24.

“That’s a lot of diesel fuel,” Pelletier said. “That must be an awful big lawn mower.”

Pelletier was pointing this out to encourage efficiency, not in an accusation of nefarious activity.

“I don’t suspect anyone of stealing,” Pelletier said.

The second largest consumer of diesel fuel in Callaway since October 13, 2013 is the “simple key,” consuming 3,353 gallons. Most of the city vehicles have keys that are electronically coded to a computer system to input how much fuel is pumped at the Public Works station. For instance, the International trash truck used 2,462 gallons of diesel fuel from Jan. 22 through July 17.

But the simple key does not record which vehicle got gas.

City Manager Michael Fuller said the simple key is primarily used for large vehicles held off site, including road graders, excavators and backhoes. Still, the simple key had 21 instances of exactly 50 gallons being pumped. In comparison, one of the other trash truck’s, a Sterling model, highest consumption was 42.50 gallons in roughly the same time period.

“I saw some red flags on the simple key too,” Public Works Director Larry Johnson said.

Johnson is planning to put a motion detection camera facing the pump station. Fuller said the city plans to institute coded user keys for each fuel-using employee.

Pelletier also wants consistent record keeping. He cited the International trash truck, with odometer readings ranging from 127,555 on Oct. 1, 2013 to two on Nov. 1, 2013.

“The managers need to be looking at the fuel log,” Pelletier said. “They need to be looking at it to see where the inconsistencies are. It’s a good system, but if you put garbage in, you get garbage out.”

The fuel discussion is just another faction of Pelletier and fellow first-year Commissioner Melba Covey’s quest to create a more efficient city. Pelletier noted he is making progress on the city’s financials because the commission received an expense balance before Tuesday’s meeting.

Callaway has a budget workshop and special meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday.

“You’ll see the noose get tighter,” Pelletier said of his financial focus.