Commissioner Frazier Defends Transportation Choices

Carroll County Commissioner Robin Frazier, responding to publication of county commissioner and employee mileage expense records, said that she has made "appropriate and cost effective choices" in her transportation decisions.

Patch blogger and a founder of the citizens group Citizens United for Carroll County (which is now known as Carroll County Watchdog) questioned travel expenses submitted by Frazier in a recent blog post. He supplied copies of reimbursement forms and checks that he obtained from the county through the Public Information Act.

In an email to Patch, Frazier defended her choices to use her personal car versus a county car and to seek reimbursement for mileage to county functions. 

"It is true this board voted to eliminate our per diem as we lead by example and given the fact we cut most director's salaries by five percent," Frazier said.  "I do not get mileage for driving to and from work, however there are many days I drive home from work and then back to Westminster for an evening meeting."

Frazier said that county cars should not be used for personal business. 

"I do not think county cars should be used for personal use," Frazier said. "It is very rare that I am not picking someone up or stopping by a meeting for which I sit on the board, running to the store, catching part of a volleyball game..."

According to Frazier, the cost is essentially the same to the county whether she uses her personal vehicle or a county vehicle.

"If 45 cents covers fuel and wear and tear on the car, and that's less than what I was given per mile in the private sector by the way, the cost to the county is the same whether I drive my car or the county pool car," Frazier said. "Except when I drive my car I am not actually wearing out the county's inventory."

"I believe my choice regarding transportation to and from county related business is the most appropriate and cost effective choice," Frazier said.