The citizens' review panel also concluded the county's rapid rotation of vehicles — a unique practice that recently won the county an award — was not proven to save money over the more traditional practice of keeping vehicles several years before turning them over.

Corroon said the task force's study will certainly result in some reduction of the 1,200-1,300-vehicle fleet, though the results of the rapid rotation study remain to be seen.

"I am prepared to make changes — radical changes, if necessary — to right-size the fleet," he said. Nevertheless, "We're not getting out of the used car business. It's just when we will sell them."

Patterson said the task force also will address "vehicle creep" — the tendency to get more and fancier vehicles as the years roll on.

"This fleet, over time, has grown and grown and grown," he said. "Practices have outpaced policy."

---

E-mail: aedwards@desnews.com