Gov. Mark Sanford's sole appointee to the State Highway Commission has called for the resignation of the state's top-ranking transportation official, citing his concerns about the agency's finances and employee morale.

"I know you have a lot of support from many legislators and several commissioners. I don't have the authority to ask you to step down, but if I did, as a result of the facts, I would be asking you now," Tee Hooper, chairman of the highway commission wrote in a Feb. 17 letter to Elizabeth Mabry, executive director of the state Department of Transportation.

Hooper, who was appointed to his position by Sanford about two years ago, said in his letter to Mabry that Transportation Department employees had contacted him over the past several months to complain about several issues.

All asked that they remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs, he wrote Mabry. Their complaints included accusations that several Chevrolet Tahoes had been purchased and given to high-level employees for personal use. The vehicles, they said, had private tags, not state tags.Other employees told Hooper that the recent departure of two high-level employees prompted them to question whether they had been "pushed out" for expressing unpopular opinions.

On Wednesday, Mabry, who has held the post for eight years, said in an agency as large as the state DOT, which has 5,000 employees, it is not uncommon to find employees with low morale, or "turf-protective" employees, defined by Mabry as employees who cannot accept change well.

"Obviously, they have found an audience in Mr. Hooper," Mabry said.

She added it was "extremely offensive" for Hooper to suggest that some employees were using their work vehicles for personal use. She dismissed those claims as "unsubstantiated and false."

Mabry also said that other financial concerns raised by Hooper reflect his inexperience.

"He's been here less than two years," Mabry said. "I don't think he understands how our finances work."

Hooper, in his letter, wrote that the Transportation Department had failed to claim $145 million in federal money that it was entitled to in January.

For an agency that is "cash poor," he wrote, it seems "unbelievable that we would not collect our money."

Mabry explained the agency draws dollars from the federal government only when it has a project in need of funding.

"The general feeling in the air is that government has to be destroyed, it has to be reduced," Mabry said. "The state DOT is lean and mean. We are a good agency and we don't consider ourselves to be bureaucratic or wasteful. I don't know what his motivations are."

Will Folks, the governor's spokesman, said it is no secret where the governor and his appointees are coming from.

"If there is one thing he has encouraged all his appointees to do, it is look under the hood," Folks said. "The governor supports his (Hooper's) actions and his decision to send the letter. A lot of explaining needs to be done. If all these items are accurate, the governor will look very hard at his (Hooper's) recommendation for her to step down."

The highway commission voted late last year to recommend a $30 user fee for state motorists. The money would be used to maintain state roads.

Folks added that if an agency is going to ask legislators to impose a new fee on taxpayers, that agency must be "absolutely sure that they are using resources to the best of their abilities."

"The DOT doesn't maximize every dollar," Folks said.

The governor could ask Mabry to resign, but she can only be forced out by a majority vote from the seven-member highway commission.

"If we voted on the issue, it would be a lopsided vote in favor of her staying," said State Highway Commissioner Bob Harrell.

Hooper on Wednesday declined to comment on his letter, citing what he termed the confidential personnel issues it raises.

POINT, COUNTERPOINT

Here's a look at some of State Highway Commission Chairman Tee Hooper's assertions and Elizabeth Mabry's responses:

The charge: The state is losing money by not claiming $145 million in federal funds. Money could earn $4 million in interest annually if claimed and placed in a state DOT account.

The response: The DOT's new deputy director of finance and administration has made smart changes in accounting, billing and budgeting to improve cash flow. Hooper doesn't understand the state's financing.

The charge: DOT sent 260 employees to Myrtle Beach for its annual bicycle and pedestrian conference. Hotel bill was $92,000, although it is unclear now much was spent. The department did receive a $71,670 grant to offset the costs.

The response: Costs are minimal in view of the benefits. The DOT has since received a $50,000 American Cycling Federation grant because of the high turnout.

The charge: State-owned vehicles were used by employees for personal use. Employees were not reimbursing the DOT.

The response: Mabry said she assigned state vehicles to four employees. That decision, she said, was made because they must remain on call for emergencies and critical agency assignments. Their positions require they often leave quickly, directly from home.

The charge: Loss of key employees, raising questions of whether they were pushed out.

The response: Both named employees had worked for the DOT for over 30 years. Both left voluntarily.

The charge: Low agency morale because of too much reorganizing and not enough action taken on employee suggestions.

The response: Good performance is rewarded and employees are encouraged to implement strategies that increase agency effectiveness and efficiency.