DGS to Save $2 Million Annually By Eliminating Four State Garages

The Department of General Services (DGS) announced today that it will save the State more than $2 million annually by closing its Fresno, Los Angeles and Oakland fleet garages and its San Diego fleet office, and eliminating preventative maintenance in its Sacramento garage within one year.
Published on June 15, 2011
in Fleet , Vehicles

The Department of General Services (DGS) announced today that it will save the State more than $2 million annually by closing its Fresno, Los Angeles and Oakland fleet garages and its San Diego fleet office, and eliminating preventative maintenance in its Sacramento garage within one year. 

“We cannot continue the status quo with our state fleet operations by maintaining non-essential facilities," said DGS Director Fred Klass.  “Although the employees who work in at these garages do a fine job, the data shows us that the garages are no longer cost beneficial for taxpayers in supporting state government.”

The garages, originally established in the 1950s and '60s, were once the only location for state employees to rent or service a state vehicle. Today, state employees outside Sacramento can rent vehicles from private rental car companies and service state vehicles at private repair shops.

In addition to using these companies to rent and service vehicles outside Sacramento, DGS will transfer many of the fleet administrative functions to its offices in Sacramento.

"The state garage in Sacramento, near most State employees, makes sense—but brick and mortar locations elsewhere have become too costly," said Klass.

DGS, which is overseeing implementation of Governor Brown’s fleet reduction Executive Order, will begin the process of closing the facilities later this year. Employees at these four facilities will be given priority eligibility to be hired to fill other state positions that they qualify for and can voluntarily choose to move to a vacant position within DGS. Additionally, they will have a hiring preference for other state jobs over the next five years. 

The Department of General Services acts as the business manager for the State of California. DGS helps state government better serve the public by providing services to state agencies including procurement and acquisition solutions, real estate management, leasing and design services, environmentally friendly transportation, and architectural oversight and funding for the construction of safe schools.