JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Office of Administration today announced that the Chief Operating Officer’s Task Force on Fleet Management has already identified more than $2 million in potential cost savings for the State of Missouri and UM System. The State of Missouri has identified over $520,000 in potential savings through a reduction of its consolidated vehicle pool by at least 30 vehicles. The University of Missouri System will update policies and initiate cost-cutting measures for the university’s fleet which could generate immediate savings of $1.5 – 2 million. All proposed actions will be undertaken without sacrificing service levels.
The COO’s Task Force on Fleet Management, convened under the auspices of the nonpartisan non-profit Hawthorn Foundation, brought together industry experts to share best practices with representatives of the State of Missouri. Participants then developed recommendations for cost savings, safety, and other improvements. As a result, the State of Missouri and UM System have both committed to a continued collaboration on longer-term initiatives.
“Governor Greitens has charged us to bring the best of business to run our government more efficiently and save our citizens money,” said State of Missouri Chief Operating Officer Drew Erdmann. “The Task Force on Fleet Management shows how business experts can help us deliver tangible impact for both Missouri state employees and the taxpayers.”
“The University is pleased to be part of this effort,” UM System President Mun Choi said. “As with all of our recognized cost-savings, this will allow us continue to invest further in the success of our students, faculty and staff and bring value to the citizens of Missouri through community and economic development.”
“It has been an honor to participate with the Fleet Management Task Force in the hopes of developing greater efficiencies and best practices for our state fleet,” said Greg Roberts, Director of Maintenance Administration for Hogan Transportation. “The idea of bringing together private sector and governmental agencies has the potential to harvest enormous benefits for all tax payers.”
“Participating in the Fleet Management Task Force has been very worthwhile, allowing participants to forge ongoing alliances and compare best practices within our own fleets,” Sherry Montgomery, AT&T Fleet Operations said. “The task force has provided an open, participative process for a wide range of members who have kept an open mind and contributed to help ‘flush out’ opportunities for improvements and growth.”
State of Missouri participants included representatives from the Office of Administration, Department of Transportation, Department of Conversation, and Highway Patrol, as well as the University of Missouri System. Private sector experts came from Ameren, AT&T, Enterprise Holdings, Ford Motor Company, Hogan Transportation, Kansas City Power and Light, McKinsey & Company and GPS Insight. All the experts volunteered their time to the Task Force.
The Task Force launched in October 2017 in Jefferson City and released its summary report today. Please see the Hawthorn Foundation's website for additional information.