John Musolf Asks The "Appointed One"--Steve Solomon Some Pointed Questions On Oro Valley Police Take Home Vehicles

John Musolf just commented on a recent post as it concerns police take home vehicles.
With John's vast knowledge, as a result of much research into police expenditures (They are almost 50% of Oro Valley's total budget, he (John) questions the "appointed one," Council Member, Steve Solomon's asinine comment that he (Solomon) didn't want to hear any more about this subject.

For those that may have missed John's comment, (it's too good not to read)---here it is.

Art
*************************************************************************************

To paraphrase Councilman Steve Solomon (the appointed one) at the March 23, 2011 Town Budget Study Session on the subject of the police “Take Home Cars” he stated his opinion that the subject had been studied again and again and he for one did not want the subject of “Take Home Cars” discussed in the future. So much for the “freedom of speech”!!! The person asking the question was not an “ordinary citizen” but an elected councilman Bill Garner representing his constituents.
I did not know that Steve Solomon had such an extensive background in accounting and taxation. Perhaps he could educate us on the following questions:
Questions about Commuting Costs related to Take Home Vehicles?

1. Does the Town of Oro Valley pay for all the driving costs (gas, oil, maintenance) for the 68 Take Home Vehicles? How much is this on a daily, weekly or monthly basis?
2. How much does the individual town employee share in the driving costs?
3. If the individual town employee does not contribute to the driving costs does the Town reflect this cost as an employee benefit for budget purposes?
4. Has the driving costs of the “take home vehicles” been vented with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make sure that this is an employee benefit that is not taxable to the employee?


Questions about Depreciation Costs related to Take Home Vehicles?

1. What effect does the “take home vehicles” have on the depreciation expense recovery for the vehicles (increased usage due to taking cars home may accelerate the depreciation expense so the extra wear and tear on the vehicle may cause the vehicle to be replaced sooner at an increased cost to the Town)?
2. Has the policy of Take Home Vehicles been fully vented to determine if this potential accelerated depreciation has caused more short-term expense (replacement of vehicles) in the budget?

John Musolf