Chapter 2.72 COUNTY VEHICLES

Chapter 2.72
COUNTY VEHICLES

Sections:

2.72.010 County vehicle identification.

A. The board of commissioners has determined that county-owned vehicles shall have proper identification. This shall mean the county’s logo and, if applicable, the department logo or name, as defined in RCW 46.08.065.

B. This chapter shall not apply to the county sheriff’s department or vehicles, and the juvenile and other departments as exempted by RCW 46.08.065.

C. The Adams County Department of Public Works is authorized to mark “passenger motor vehicles” as defined in RCW 43.19.552 in a manner consistent with RCW 46.08.065(2). (Res. R-134-97; Res. R-72-93; Res. 47-79)

2.72.020 Vehicle and travel policy.

For purposes of this policy, all elected officials, department heads, and general employees are referred to collectively as “employees.”

A. Employees are encouraged to use county-owned vehicles designated for county business use when traveling on county business whether in-county or out-of-county.

B. Employees who use county-owned vehicles shall register and attend a safe driving course offered by the county during regular work hours. If a safe driving course is not immediately available, the employee may operate a county vehicle while on county business but is required to then complete a safe driving course at the earliest scheduled course date.

C. Employees completing the safe driving course shall provide proof to their department head and to the county risk manager of course completion.

D. Employees who use private vehicles in the course of county business are required to either complete the county-sponsored safe driving course or to choose to take a course online or privately.

E. Employees who use their private vehicles on county business will be reimbursed by the county at the rate set by the State of Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM).

F. Official mileage when traveling between Ritzville and Othello on county business for purposes of private vehicle reimbursement shall be one hundred four miles round-trip.

G. Employees who use their private vehicles on county business are responsible for any additional insurance coverage required by their carrier.

H. Employees operating a vehicle while on county business must have a valid Washington State driver’s license.

I. Employees using county vehicles shall not pick up hitchhikers. Employees shall use county vehicles for Adams County business only. Elected officials shall transport nonemployee passengers in county vehicles only in connection with county travel.

J. Smoking in county-owned vehicles or equipment is prohibited.

K. All accidents occurring while operating county-owned/leased vehicles or equipment shall be reported immediately to the employee’s supervisor and to the county risk manager. An accident report shall be completed and filed with the supervisor with a copy to the county risk manager.

L. Employees are individually responsible for all fines or penalties assessed to the employee as a result of speeding tickets or other traffic infractions for which the employee is cited while using a county vehicle. (Res. R-24-17; Res. R-48-08 (part): Res. 63-86)