The Spyglass: City’s fleet department a well-oiled machine

Colorado Springs' mayor is front and center, mobbed by cameras, when big economic development news happens.

A top commander, or the police chief himself, takes the podium to announce a key arrest.

But some workers, turning a wrench in the snow at 3 a.m., make the city run day to day.

They ensure snowplows make it down Academy Boulevard, police cars get to robberies fast and utility trucks restore power quickly.

The 81 employees who work for the city of Colorado Springs' Fleet Department recently ranked 10th in the nation by Government Fleet Magazine.

Rankings of 1,350 departments were decided by experts based on accountability, creativity, stewardship of resources and competitive pricing.

Tom Monarco's department placed in the top 100 in 2005 and 2006, but last year's ranking is its first top-10 showing.

Monarco's crew rose to the top, he said, in part because of its fuel contracting program, which locks in prices.

"We saved the city a ton of money - $1.2 million in a three-year period," he said.

His department rides herd on 4,598 pieces of equipment from lawnmowers to dump trucks, about 3,000 of which are vehicles.

With a $17.5 million budget, Monarco said it's a good value. Consider:

• The fleet saw a 21 percent rise in vehicles it maintains since 2001 but added only four mechanics, a 9 percent increase.

• A half-ton truck's maintenance cost last year was 35 cents per mile, including fuel.

• Even as the fleet has aged, tows dropped by 11 percent in the past three years.

Fleet workers care for city vehicles and also those of city enterprises, including Colorado Springs Utilities.

Mechanics, parts workers and fueltruck drivers work 24/7 to keep the city's aging snow-removal equipment in business during storms.

"It was hectic at times," said Bill Hensley of the 2007 winter. "We all had to pull together putting snow chains on, coming in early and staying late."

He said he does his best out of personal pride.

For Christine Keller, who buys parts and drives a fuel truck, saving money on parts serves the city and herself.

"I'm constantly proud of the fact I saved a couple thousand dollars on a purchase," she said. "That's important because it comes out of our pocket in the long run. If you're saving money for the city, you're saving money for yourself as well."

Monarco said he's blown away by the mechanics' keeping apace of the business.

"What's changed in the last 15 years in automobiles, technology and what they have to know, the computer knowledge, it's unbelievable," he said.

Though fleet workers pull their weight daily and don't expect extra recognition, a national prize doesn't hurt.

"They're very proud," he said. "They're out there in the trenches every day, and they're proud of the fact they're moving up on this list."

Besides a warm feeling, employees were rewarded with black windbreaker jackets bearing the contest logo and noting two other recent awards.

The city sprang for the jackets and got a deal - less than $25 apiece.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com