(A) Employees who are assigned use of a city-owned vehicle including motorized equipment (COV) are responsible for them and their proper and safe use. No personal use of any COV is permitted unless authorized by the City Administrator. No COVs may be used to transport private citizens unless specifically done so in the course of the employee’s job and with permission of the City Administrator.
(B) Employees who drive COVs must maintain an acceptable driving record during the term of employment. An employee’s Motor Vehicle Record may be checked randomly. COV drivers must report any DWI or DUI convictions whether or not they occurred in a COV. Employees who are convicted of a DWI or DUI in a COV are subject to immediate dismissal. Repeated or frequent traffic violations or accidents are grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Accidents in COVs are recorded in the employee’s permanent file.
(C) All accidents in COVs must be reported to the City Administrator immediately.
(D) City employees who drive their own vehicles on city business are required to have current liability insurance in accordance with state law.
(E) Personal use prohibited. City property, materials, supplies, tools, equipment or vehicles may not be removed from the premises or used for personal business without prior written approval by the City Administrator.
(F) Tobacco use prohibited. The use of all tobacco products (including smokeless) is prohibited while operating and/or being a passenger in city-owned vehicles and/or equipment.
(G) Take home vehicles. A city vehicle may be assigned to a position or employee. To be eligible for assignment of a take-home vehicle, an employee must be subject to emergency call back during off-duty hours to locations other than the employee’s normal work station. No personal use of a take-home vehicle is permitted except to commute to and from home or work. A city vehicle is not to be used for personal business such as going to the bank, grocery store, and the like, without prior written approval of the City Administrator. No alcoholic beverages are allowed in city vehicles. No passengers may be transported in take-home vehicles except as required by official duties.
(H) Use of city vehicles. City-owned or leased vehicles may be used only for official city business. City-owned or leased vehicles may only be driven by authorized city employees. If an employee drives a personal vehicle, or a city-owned, rented or leased vehicle on the job or while carrying out city-related business, the employee must comply with the following:
(1) Drivers must have a valid State of Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle operated, must maintain a satisfactory driving record, and must inform their supervisor of any change in status.
(2) Always observe all posted laws and speed limits.
(3) Always wear seat belts when the vehicle is in operation.
(4) No passengers other than city employees or others on city business may ride in a city vehicle unless otherwise approved in advance by the department head.
(5) All maintenance and use records for city vehicles must be completed as directed by the employee’s supervisor.
(6) Report any broken, missing, or worn parts, tires, and the like, or any needed maintenance of city vehicles to the appropriate supervisor immediately.
(7) All drivers must be eligible for coverage under the city’s insurance policy.
(8) Drivers covered by Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations must comply with them at all times.
(9) At no time may an employee under the influence of alcohol or a presence in the system of illegal drugs drive a city vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting city business.
(10) Employees involved in an accident while operating a city vehicle, or while operating a personal vehicle on city business, must immediately notify the proper law enforcement agency (if applicable) and the appropriate supervisor and/or department head, and City Administrator. Accident reports, along with any law enforcement report, must be filed by the employee with the department head and human resources.
(I) The city may, at any time, check the driving record of a city employee who drives as part of the job duties to determine that the necessary qualifications are maintained as a city driver. Employees must cooperate in giving the city whatever authorization is required for this purpose.
(J) The above is not a complete and exhaustive list of vehicle use policies. Violations of any of the specific items listed, as well as the improper, careless, negligent, destructive, unauthorized, or unsafe use or operation of a vehicle, may result in loss of driving privilege or disciplinary action.
(Ord. 2013-010, passed 11-19-2013)