A scathing 131-page audit has revealed significant mismanagement within Erie County’s vehicle fleet operations, including 365 unaccounted vehicles and apparent abuse of county fueling stations.
The audit, conducted by the county comptroller’s office and first reported by Buffalo News reporter Sandra Tan, found gross noncompliance with vehicle use policies across the county’s fleet of more than 1,200 vehicles that cost approximately $10 million annually.
“It’s a freebie over there. Who’s watching what’s going on?” said Republican County Lawmaker John Mills.
“Actually, shocked that the administration has allowed this thing to get so out of hand,” Mills said.
However, a spokesman from the county executive’s office disputed claims of missing vehicles, stating that inventory numbers fluctuate daily depending on vehicles being bought, delivered, sold, or traded in…