Joliet Reviews City Gas Policy After Audit Finds Excess Use
Administrators face stricter oversight as the city revises fuel access policies following unauthorized usage reports.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Utilities
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Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty is revising a policy that grants administrators access to city-owned fuel pumps following concerns over oversight. The review comes after an audit revealed significant unauthorized fuel usage by a public utilities leader.
Why it matters
The review highlights the operational risks inherent in providing administrators with dual-compensation structures, specifically overlapping fuel access and vehicle allowances. It signals a move toward stricter expense monitoring and policy enforcement for public sector personnel.
A city audit identified 276 gallons of excess fuel usage by one official, which required a $749 reimbursement to Joliet. Currently, 12 city administrators hold keys to pumps capped at 20 gallons per week.
The players
Beth Beatty
Joliet City Manager who is currently drafting revisions to the city's fuel access policy.
Tony Anczer
Deputy director of public utilities who was identified as the largest user of city gas.
The details
Under the existing policy, 12 administrators receive a $2,487 annual vehicle allowance while maintaining access to municipal fuel pumps. The city monitors these pumps through an internal audit process to ensure usage stays within the 20-gallon weekly cap. Deputy director of public utilities Tony Anczer, who consumed 154 gallons in August 2025 alone, saw his access revoked for seven months following the audit's findings.
Timeline
2009: The existing gas policy was implemented.
August 2025: Tony Anczer used 154 gallons of city gas in a single month.
December 2025: An audit identified excess fuel use and the city received a $749 reimbursement.
July 15, 2026: Tony Anczer's revoked gas key access was restored.
October 20, 2026: Council members questioned the city gas policy at a meeting.
Market Landscape
Joliet is benchmarking its internal fuel policy against standard Internal Revenue Service mileage reimbursement models to ensure compliance. This move follows a period of inconsistent oversight regarding how administrators manage both flat vehicle allowances and direct fuel access.
Operators managing fleet assets or employee vehicle allowances should implement automated audit triggers for any access provided beyond standard mileage reimbursement. Review current compensation packages to ensure they do not create double-dipping risks that invite public or regulatory scrutiny.
The takeaway
The incident demonstrates the necessity of reconciling supplemental vehicle allowances with physical fuel access to prevent unauthorized consumption. Audit all discretionary employee fuel keys quarterly to monitor adherence to usage caps and ensure alignment with stated policy limits.
Further reading
For broader context on municipal infrastructure management, see the Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Shaw Local.
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Should city administrators be allowed to use city-owned fuel for their personal vehicles?
