Mayor Michael Nutter announced today that he will shrink the city’s car fleet which has nearly 6,000 vehicles by 243 in an effort to reduce spending. While the number may not sound like a lot, Nutter says this would save the city $1.5 million a year in maintenance and fuel costs. If you’re trying to do the math, using these numbers the city spends $6,200 per car, per year.

Today’s wizardry is part of the mayor’s effort to fill a $200 million budget gap projected for the 2010 fiscal year (July 1-June 30).

The practice of allowing many city workers to take their city-issued cars home for the night was a sore point for many people who attended last month’s budget workshops. Here’s a summary taken from the Final Report on the workshops.

A hot button issue. Often one of the first cuts approved, by large margins. Citizens were full of stories and outrage about city employees abusing use of city car. Many are incensed about City Council members getting cars, drivers and City Hall parking privileges. Lots of support for making city workers rely on Philly CarShare, ZipCar and mass transit. Many willing to exempt DHS workers from this rule; city cars were seen as needed by DHS workers who must make site visits in tough neighborhoods.

The city’s nearly 6000 vehicles are operated under the Office of Fleet Management. It’s website describes how varied the fleet is.

The fleet is diverse and includes ambulances, trash compactors, police cruisers, highway paving equipment, riding mowers, motorcycles, passenger and cargo vans, SUV’s, jeeps, buses, and sedans.

What do you think of today’s move? If you are a city worker, will this limit your ability to do your job? Should the city go even further and cut more cars?