Ulster County has introduced a new policy regarding the use of take-home vehicles for employees within its Department of Public Works. This policy is part of a labor contract that was recently ratified by the county’s largest employee union, the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). Under the new agreement, employees currently assigned take-home vehicles can retain them as long as they remain in eligible positions. However, the county has retained “sole discretion” over future vehicle assignments.
Legislator Joseph Maloney, who first raised concerns about the take-home vehicle policy in 2023, criticized the new guidelines. He described them as a “back-door policy” that effectively removes legislative oversight of employee vehicle use. “This language was put in there just to take away our ability to ever have any oversight over take-home vehicles,” said Maloney, who represents Saugerties.
The issue surrounding take-home vehicles first gained attention in 2013 when the head of the Department of Public Works was seen driving a county-assigned Ford Mustang Mach-E. At that time, the office of Jen Metzger, the Ulster County Executive, reported that there were 98 take-home vehicles assigned to various employees across multiple departments. This included 25 vehicles in the Highway Department, 45 in the Sheriff’s Office, and several in the District Attorney’s Office and Department of Social Services.
In response to Maloney’s inquiries, former Legislature Chairwoman Tracey Bartels established a Special Fleet Management Review Committee to examine the use of take-home vehicles. Maloney stated that the committee recommended largely eliminating take-home vehicles, but he noted that none of these recommendations were integrated into the newly established policy.
Howard Baul, the labor relations specialist representing CSEA workers, emphasized that the take-home vehicle arrangement has been a longstanding benefit for public works employees. “The county couldn’t unilaterally revoke it,” Baul stated. “We would have filed legal actions if they were to do that.” He clarified that the negotiated policy allows current employees to keep their vehicles, but once those employees leave, the county will have complete discretion over assigning vehicles to new hires.
The new contract, which spans four years, also sets residency and reporting requirements for employees who are assigned take-home vehicles. This agreement will be presented to the full Legislature for a vote on December 3, 2023.
As the county moves forward with this policy, the implications for oversight and vehicle allocation may continue to evolve, reflecting changes in administrative practices and employee benefits.
