(a) Marking. All Village-provided vehicles will be marked with the name of the department and “VILLAGE OF MINGO JUNCTION”. Marking requirements do not apply to vehicles of the Police Department which are used for investigative purposes.
(b) Vehicles Subject to Valuation for Personal Use; Assignment Generally. The Village Administrator is responsible for assigning vehicles to either employees or positions. Vehicles assigned by the Village Administrator may be used for Village business, commuting to and from the employee’s Village work-site and home, and incidental personal business during a commuting trip. Carrying passengers who are not Village employees, and also persons who are not directly associated with Village business, is not permitted.
(1) Method of assignment. The method of assignment of vehicles will be as follows:
A. The department head will submit a request to the Village Administrator to assign a vehicle to a specific position as the need arises. The department head will inform the liaison committee that a request has been made.
B. Requests will be approved or rejected by the Village Administrator, and the Village Administrator will reevaluate all assignments each January. Assignments will be based on a review and in consideration of one (1) or more of the following criteria:
1. Equipment. Special equipment which is installed (e.g. two- way radio, siren, light bar).
2. Work call-in. The employee is regularly called to return to work or to respond to emergencies.
3. Potential damage to vehicle. Materials are transported which may damage a vehicle.
4. High mileage. The assignment of a vehicle results in a savings to the Village when compared to mileage reimbursement.
(2) Valuation for personal use. Income tax valuation and withholding methods will be based on Internal Revenue Service Regulations and Code and will be promulgated by administrative procedures.
(c) Utility and Pool Vehicles. Department heads may assign certain Village vehicles to employees or positions as follows:
(1) Department heads may assign utility vehicles equipped for special work which are not suitable for passenger transportation (e.g., dump trucks, cherry pickers, and forklifts). Utility vehicles will not be used for commuting or personal business.
(2) Department heads may assign vehicles from a department pool. Pool vehicles are not permanently assigned to an employee or position, are frequently used by several employees, are garaged or parked on Village property, and will not be used for commuting or personal business.
However, a department head may occasionally assign a pool vehicle loan employee for work purposes which include commuting as required for specific work assignments of short duration (e.g. an evening meeting, or distant early morning appointment). When so assigned the vehicle may be garaged and/or parked at the employee’s home. Pool vehicles will not be used for personal business.
(d) Vehicles in Police Department and Fire Department’s Office. These vehicles are assigned by the department head following the criteria set forth by that department. The vehicles are used at the discretion of the department head while the employee is on-call or on duty. When the employee is not on-call or on-duty, the vehicle will not be used for personal business.
(Ord. 2009-22. Passed 7-28-09.)