January 2008 - Feature
Fueling Florida's Fiscal Fitness
By Shelley Mika
"Efficiencies are achieved by using a single card for all of our fuel and fleet-related purchases — including vehicle maintenance — and the ability to purchase fuel from aviation and marinas as well," Bennett said.
For some, adopting a statewide program might seem both unwieldy and impractical — how can one system work for everyone? Due to fleet managers’ ability to choose controls, each agency is free to use the card in a manner that achieves its specific goals.
"Each department fleet has specific needs based on the agency’s mission statement. However, price, ease of use, security, and minimizing exposure to loss are consistent throughout all agencies," Bennett said. "For instance, law enforcement fleets run 24/7 and need the ability to purchase fuel when and wherever they need it, as do first responders in emergency situations."
Despite having multiple drivers, using fuel cards can even be an appropriate solution for motor pools.
"A number of state agencies operate motor pools, and with all of the security features available on the card, we are able to maintain consistent controls with multiple driver assignments," Bennett said.
A Fuel card program allows tracking not only fuel purchases, but also maintenance and repairs.
Preparing for Emergencies
In addition to implementing an efficient fuel card program, Florida has also made great strides in preparing for future emergencies. By extending the partnership with Comdata to include TransMontaigne, an industry leader in fuel supply chain management, the state receives the best pricing now on gasoline. In the future, it will be able to allocate fuel resources where they’re needed most.
"As a registered ultimate vendor and reseller of fuel in all 50 states, TransMontaigne is responsible for exempting applicable taxes and applying the wholesale pricing detailed in the contract," Gustin said. "TransMontaigne offers security of supply in times of emergency. The company owns eight fuel terminals and currently delivers more than 25 million gallons of refined petroleum products each month to a diverse customer base. Additionally, TransMontaigne operates several tanker trucks strategically positioned throughout the state, which affords efficient management of distribution capacity."
Now when disaster strikes, Florida state leaders can make informed decisions about where fuel is needed most — and can be confident it will get there.
"If, for example, the threat of a hurricane is imminent and the governor issues an executive order declaring an emergency, Comdata and TransMontaigne would be on-site in Tallahassee with the emergency response team assisting in dispatching fuel to the various first-responder agencies. We have the ability to prioritize loads of fuel to the areas and agencies that have the most critical need of supply," Bennett said. "This provides a strong and reliable chain of supply to ensure delivery of emergency services when disruptions in fuel supply would prevent these agencies from carrying out their missions."
"The card program is a win-win situation. Drivers benefit through the ease and convenience of universal acceptance; merchants benefit through the use of a low-cost MasterCard with rates lower than proprietary cards in the marketplace, and agencies are able to account for their fuel expenditures more easily on a single card platform," Bennett said. "The program has been a proven success in saving money, offering ease and convenience of use, and providing efficiencies across the board in how the public sector purchases and processes fuel and related services, offers security, and minimizes exposure to loss."
While Florida may not be able to control Mother Nature, it can control the response to natural disasters — and the fuel card program is a step in the right direction. In the meantime, Florida’s fleets will run more efficiently.