COLUMBIA, S.C. - Managing the state's auto fleet and consolidating most of the State Budget and Control Board's administrative functions dominated Gov. Mark Sanford's budget hearing with the agency Monday.

The consolidation is part of Sanford's broader restructuring plan that includes allowing the governor to appoint several state officers, including secretary of state and education superintendent that are currently elected.

With a brief apology for putting him in an awkward position, Sanford asked budget board Executive Director Frank Fusco if he supported his consolidation plan.

"I would have to pay due respect to my bosses," said Fusco, who currently reports to a board that consists of Sanford, the leaders of the financial committees in the House and Senate, the state treasurer and the comptroller general.

Sanford called the board an inefficient "five-headed beast" and proposed putting the agency in a Cabinet-level department he would create called the Department of Administration.

"That's where y'all belong," Sanford said.

The Budget and Control Board was the latest agency to go before Sanford as he winds up his questioning of every major state department, looking for ways to save money and improve services.

Budget board employees gave a 10-minute presentation, then opened the floor for questions. The meeting ended up lasting an hour-and-a-half.

It didn't take long for Sanford to focus on the state automobile fleet. He questioned whether South Carolina employees really needed 21,000 cars and whether a private rental car agency could manage some of the fleet services better.

Agency officials defended the fleet system, but promised they would review the program to make sure it was efficient.