published: Tuesday, August 05, 2008

County gas managed by fuel master

By KEVIN J. SHUTT

kevin.shutt@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Representing a cross section of government agencies from Highlands County Sheriff's Office to the cities, more than 1,000 government employees are authorized users of the county's four fuel sites.

Located in downtown Sebring, the newest pumps aren't open yet, explained Highlands County Public Information Officer Gloria Rybinski.

"There are fuel keys assigned to vehicles and to personnel," she said Tuesday, responding to inquiries about the county's fuel management policy.

While there isn't a specific policy, she said usage is controlled by issuing and tracking the plastic keys, which tell the gas pumps which vehicle is being fueled and by whom.

In addition, the employee must enter the vehicle's mileage when prompted before fuel is dispensed.

Rybinski explained that, in some cases, an employee should never need to fill up a gas can.

She used her role as spokeswoman as an example.

But, some jobs require gas cans such as mowing crews or their supervisors.

In those cases, a cost center (the specific area of one's employment) or specific equipment should have a fuel key assigned (as would a vehicle).

"There's no set procedure," she said. "It's done on a case-by-case basis."