BRIDGEPORT, CT (June 30, 2011) – Mayor Bill Finch today announced that the City has reduced its take-home vehicle fleet to three cars – one each for the Mayor, Police Chief and Fire Chief.

“When I took office there were 82 take-home vehicles. I’m proud to say that today there are only three,” said Mayor Finch.  “Bringing greater efficiency and lower costs to City government has been one of the highest priorities for my administration.”

The city’s vehicle fleet encompasses nearly 400 cars, mostly in the police, fire and public works department. Take-home vehicles have been the subject of collective bargaining agreements over the years. Negotiations with the city’s police department, and other city unions, have led to the reduction of take-home cars.

As a part of a policy created by Mayor Finch in 2009, the City auctioned off surplus vehicles and stopped purchasing additional take-home vehicles.

Finch continued, “Cost-saving measures like the reduction of our take-home vehicle fleet have helped the City reduce spending three consecutive years.”

Mayor Finch along with Police Chief Joseph Gaudett and Fire Chief Brian Rooney have been assigned the only remaining take-home vehicles in the City’s fleet.