South Fayette engineer Dave Gardner and Manager Mike Hoy have been given a four-month reprieve from turning in the township cars they drive for business and personal use.

Commissioners have dialed back what was originally termed an "immediate" policy change after they voted April 21 to eliminate personal use of township vehicles.

The policy was stated verbally by commissioner Greg Curl and was to take effect immediately. Later in the evening, after an executive session, the commissioners reconvened and delayed the new policy by 120 days.

"We realized that while Mike [Hoy] could drive home that night and back to work, he couldn't go the grocery store or anything," commissioners' chairman Tom Sray said. In fact, Mr. Hoy, who does not have another vehicle, would not have been able to drive to auto dealer lots to look for a replacement.

"I said that we ought to give him some time to get a vehicle," Mr. Sray said. "I thought it should have been 60 days, or 90, but 120 is what everyone wanted."

The decision was controversial; commissioners Sue Caffrey and Cindy Cox opposed it, arguing that it was tantamount to a $10,000 pay cut for the two professional employees.

Mr. Hoy had negotiated for a vehicle as part of his employment package; Mr. Gardner had been given use of one under the township's policy, also as a condition of his employment.

Mr. Hoy's right to use his vehicle was essentially unlimited, though he has said he paid for his own gas when he used it for extensive personal travel. Mr. Gardner's use is a bit more limited; he was not allowed to use the vehicle for vacations or to travel to places where alcohol was served.

Solicitor Jon Kamin said neither deal was binding. Ms. Caffrey had a motion to give each man a one-time payment of $9,800 to buy a vehicle, but it was turned down by Mr. Sray, Mr. Curl and commissioner Deron Gabriel.

Mr. Gardner said he was upset by the change because he believed he had not violated the policy, but that as an employee he would follow it.

"I have always tried diligently to abide by the policy and the stipulations that were made when I was hired," he said. "When the new policy goes into place in 120 days, I will, as an employee of South Fayette Township, abide by it."

Mr. Hoy declined comment this week, saying only that as the township manager he was bound to uphold township policies.

Mr. Sray said the change was prompted by a stream of complaints from residents, who reported seeing Mr. Gardner using his township vehicle to do personal errands. He said there had been comparatively few complaints about Mr. Hoy.

"Mike seemed to handle it better," he said.

Mr. Sray said a policy change has been discussed before, and he had supported it, but that it happened now because of the number of complaints. It was also a campaign issue for Mr. Curl and Mr. Gabriel, who both were elected in the fall.

Those three approved the new policy over "no" votes from Ms. Caffrey and Ms. Cox.

Mr. Sray dismissed concerns that the decision might prompt the two men to leave South Fayette.

"Mike makes $82,000 a year," Mr. Sray said of Mr. Hoy. "He's well-compensated."

Mr. Sray also said he'd heard rumors that both men were looking at other job opportunities before the policy change, anyway. Whether they leave or stay, the vehicle use will not be an issue in the future.

"The way I see it, it's all going to be the same for everybody," Mr. Sray said.