Oak Forest abuse of residents trust and money (Orland Hills: to rent, home)

[oak999]

I need some info on someone familiar with IRS rules regarding personal use of City owned vehicles for personal use? Let me explain the situation in Oak Forest.

A few weeks ago on my way to the gym early in the morning at 4 AM a red truck went flying past me doing at least 15 mph over the posted limit of 35 MPH. The truck got caught at a stop light where I pulled up by it to see "oak forest public works" written on the side. The truck again shot off speeding down 159th headed West and long out of site. I pulled into the parking lot of Lifetime Fitness in Orland Hills only to see the truck there.

Let me say this is not unsual. Anyone living in Oak Forest knows the clout here and waste of taxpayer money while we pay fees and heavy taxes. Police cars that are used for grocery shopping at Jewel and other stores, police that take their families and friends to baseball games off duty.

The public works truck is now at Lifetime more then ever. I have contacted the city and they say they are within the laws to do this. I questioned who pays for oil changes, for maintence, when things go wrong, how does fuel work? But it seems as though the city is ok with its residents paying for the costs. These vehicles are bought for City business and I understand taking them home and being on call.

However using them and abusing them in personal use should not be allowed as they were not bought for personal use. Other cities around the country have strict policies for use of public owned vehicles. I for one am sick of this. I am sick of our hard earned money going to give benefits to city employees that are paid very well and get good benefits. This City is terrible with its money (for one instance anyone remember the sign at rt 50 and 159 for 200 000 and is now torn down for Gateway project)?

I am considering many options such as petitions, getting a hold of State officials, and the better government association. This is getting out of control. I will be contacting the IRS to see if a investigation can be done on Oak Forest and if they are following regulations. The night I took the pics below I also contacted a friend who is a cop in neighboring town. Honestly this guy in the truck was driving reckless with his speed I could not believe it! My buddy was not on duty at the time though.

[chet everett]

Pretty much all towns can and do allow some personal use of municipal vehicles. They generally justify this by saying the use of the vehicle allows them to attract employees that want to use the vehicle and will accept a lower salary, though technically the IRS would expect the employee to pay taxes on the 'benefit' UNLESS the job requires significant off hours response and then the access to the vehicle is for the benefit of the employer.

Personally I don't like to see these kinds of things, as they do smack of too cushy a set-up, but if you make a big stink about it and it turns out the employee really is sorta underpaid (it happens...) and they end up giving him a raise then they make him drive to the city garage in his own car and response times for water main breaks or whatever is lengthened, then who really 'wins'?

The way the guys drives ought to be a concern to his boss and the elected officials -- if he gets in an accident then everyone will be on the hook. Focusing on that will be hard, as you have already sorta painted yourself as "the guy who is PO'ed about employees having access to municipal vehicles off hours..."

Good Luck!

[oak999]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Pretty much all towns can and do allow some personal use of municipal vehicles. They generally justify this by saying the use of the vehicle allows them to attract employees that want to use the vehicle and will accept a lower salary, though technically the IRS would expect the employee to pay taxes on the 'benefit' UNLESS the job requires significant off hours response and then the access to the vehicle is for the benefit of the employer.

Personally I don't like to see these kinds of things, as they do smack of too cushy a set-up, but if you make a big stink about it and it turns out the employee really is sorta underpaid (it happens...) and they end up giving him a raise then they make him drive to the city garage in his own car and response times for water main breaks or whatever is lengthened, then who really 'wins'?

The way the guys drives ought to be a concern to his boss and the elected officials -- if he gets in an accident then everyone will be on the hook. Focusing on that will be hard, as you have already sorta painted yourself as "the guy who is PO'ed about employees having access to municipal vehicles off hours..."

Good Luck!

Oak Forest pays its employees very well--I assure you. I have no problem with them taking these vehicles home but using them for personal use? What were they bought for? I was under the impression they were bought for work relating to the town. It just seems very unprofessional. If a company wants its employees to abuse its vehicles and use them for personal use thats their business (you will not find too many).

But for government to allow it thats completely different. I mean really where do we draw the line? Maybe City employees should be allowed to use tools and take them home so they dont have to pay to rent them? OH thats right this has already happened in Oak Forest! The fire department was taking tools home right off the rigs!

These people need to understand tools, cars, trucks, EVERYTHING bought by the City was bought for the purpose of using it to serve the city--not them. If they have somewhere to go they should use their personal cars like we all have to. If they need a special tool they should rent it like we all have to!