Councilman pushes to identify city vehicles

PORTAGE | City Councilman Mark Oprisko said he believes it is a simple idea. City-owned vehicles should be marked as such with a decal.

It would, he believes, improve accountability of those who drive the vehicles.

Oprisko said he has been requesting information from the city administration and departments on how many city-owned vehicles there are, who drives them, for what purpose and if they are marked as city vehicles. He added that the idea shouldn't include unmarked police cars.

"With the price of gas, we don't need people using them for their own pleasure. There is the possibility of abuse," he said.

Oprisko said he has received preliminary information and has found that several city-owned vehicles, particularly those driven by supervisors, are not marked.

For example, the park department has five vehicles driven by supervisors. Two are take home vehicles for maintenance supervisors and are not marked. Three are driven by other supervisors, are not marked, but are not taken home by the drivers.

"Why aren't they marked?" asked Oprisko, adding he'd like to see vehicles marked with a city emblem decal on the doors.

"I understand where councilman Oprisko is coming from," said Mayor James Snyder, adding he has eliminated nine take home cars because he does believe that is an issue.

But Snyder disagrees that this is a pressing issue in the city.

"We are planning and going to have a list of the top 25 and top 100 things that are going to be done. I don't believe this is in the top 100 things to save money and get Portage in the right direction," said Snyder.

"I'm not against the idea, but we may choose a different route," said Snyder, adding he's also concerned about costs.

"We have to slow down and see what the cost will be. Just because in the past people weren't held to be accountable, doesn't mean they won't be now. Just having stickers on cars won't do that," said Snyder.

Oprisko said he has checked with the school district and its printing shop can make the decals for the cost of materials.

City Council President Sue Lynch also agrees with the need for identification of city vehicles, but concurred it is not a pressing issue.