At least that’s what one Bee County department head is reporting.
Dennis DeWitt, director of the Bee County Community Affairs department, said a recommendation to allow the BCAA to do oil and filter changes actually costs the county money.
DeWitt said he conducted his research study on the issue after the county auditor’s office recommended earlier this year that the county allow the Bee Community Action Agency to maintain county vehicles.
The BCAA has a garage and mechanics who maintain BCAA vehicles, and have time and tools to maintain other county vehicles as well, then-County Auditor Susana Morón explained to commissioners.
DeWitt told commissioners he would look into the matter.
He reported his findings last month but was not at the commissioners court meeting to answer their questions regarding his study.
DeWitt explained his study to commissioners during their regular monthly meeting on Monday.
He assured them that the county could save money by simply allowing Dave Moore Ford to change the oil and filters on county vehicles.
That’s because Dave Moore Ford is located across the street from the county courthouse and can do the same work without the government overhead, he explained.
According to DeWitt’s study, county employees who take their vehicles to the BCAA garage to be serviced must take time away from serving the public to purchase the oil and filter, then drive over to the BCAA garage on U.S. 181 frontage road, and wait for the vehicle to be serviced.
“When you go to the BCAA, you have to take your (parts). They do not have (parts) there like a normal garage,” DeWitt explained. “First, you have to have a (purchase order) approved. That takes time. That takes the judge’s time, the auditor’s time, and that takes my time.”
The purchase order costs about 16 to 18 cents each, he noted.
“Someone has to break loose from serving the public, drive to Wal-Mart, find the oil, find the filter, stand in line, make the purchase, then come back.”
He estimates it costs the county about $15 to have someone go and purchase the oil and filter, and then another $15 in paperwork associated with the purchase.
Also, the county probably spends another $18.75 taking the vehicle to the BCAA shop and waiting for it to be serviced, and then returning to work, DeWitt said.
“I appreciate what you’re thinking now, these shouldn’t be added, but it is. These are intrinsic costs. These are fixed costs. These are real costs that have to be added in to be able to find out what the total cost is. Anyone running a business does this. Government thinks a little different sometime, but it shouldn’t.”
DeWitt figures the time county employees spend getting their vehicles serviced at the BCAA garage costs the county an additional $51.19 beyond the cost of the oil, filter and labor.
DeWitt concludes his department would spend $84.17 per vehicle to have the oil and filter changed at the BCAA, compared to $33.45 at Dave Moore Ford.
Cutting out the travel time, time needed to purchase the items and paperwork saves the county about $50.72 per vehicle, according to DeWitt’s study.
The savings grows significantly when you factor in four oil and filter changes annually, he added.
Taking a vehicle to the BCAA shop once every four months would cost the county $336.68 annually per vehicle, compared to $133.80 annually if the work is done by Dave Moore Ford — a savings of $202.88 per vehicle, DeWitt said.
Having the BCAA change the oil and filters in all three vehicles his department uses would cost the county $1,010.04 annually, compared to $401.40 if the work is done by Dave Moore Ford, according to DeWitt’s study.
That’s an annual savings to the county of $608.64 by his department alone, DeWitt noted in his report.
He reminded commissioners that Dave Moore Ford pays taxes to the county, and the BCAA does not.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Carlos Salazar Jr. was somewhat skeptical of DeWitt’s findings, but agreed the county should save money by taking its vehicles to Dave Moore Ford for oil and filter changes.
“If we can save one more penny by going to this guy, then by all means go to him,” Salazar said. “I think you exaggerated some of this stuff but that is besides the point. But overall, if what you’re telling us is you’re saving by going to Dave Moore, then go for it. OK? I’m all for it.”
Interesting DeWitt only came up with cost savings from just one garage!
I sat here scratching my head as to DeWitt's comment about Dave Moore Ford being across the road from the Courthouse. What am I missing here?
Maybe a better would be streamlining the system available to the BCAA would be a far better idea? Thought of that?