I Would Like Gila County to Cut Cell Phone Expenses Now.

Why does a secretary need a county budgeted cell phone? They should have 20 or so cellphones that are used for emergency services during a disaster that are issued AND signed for ONLY during disasters. These phones should have an accompanying 30 day prepaid unlimited time card that costs about $50 NOT an ongoing charged of whatever the cost is right now. Also, the phones that are issued should be basic plain phones. No picture or video streaming or other bells and whistles. Elected county supervisors and department heads (not supervisors) should have to use either their own phone and be reimbursed up to $50 a month or carry $50 a month prepaid phones.

Also, county vehicles should not be allowed for personal use. Many county employees seem to have county vehicles parked in the home driveways overnight. Are these people still on the county clock? Is this a perk for all county employees? Why do we find county vehicles at Walmart, grocery stores, and kids events after hours? What county business justifies the fuel being used and does the county insurance cover non-county passengers like friends, family, or children? Are the vehicles being inspected and signed out on a daily basis? Are the miles being kept track of and their purpose? I think not. But if they were I bet the county would save a whole lot of money on fuel, especially now that fuel is nearing $4.00/gallon. How much money was spent on fuel last year for the county?

Thank you Susan and Bill for standing up for our community and actually doing what we have only talked about for so long!