Fuel costs burdening government agencies
NORWICH – Gas prices are continuing to rise throughout the country and with the average gas price in Norwich hovering above $4 a gallon, government agencies are being forced to find ways to deal with the rising costs.
In the City of Norwich, both the Police Department and City Codes have begun doing bike patrols to save money on the cost of gas, but for other departments, like the Department of Public Works, the changes may be much more drastic.
At this month’s meeting of the City of Norwich Public Works / Public Safety Committee, Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson said the DPW’s fuel costs for the first half of 2008 had already equaled the total amount spent on fuel for all of 2007. To date, Ivarson said, the department has spent approximately $24,000 for fuel. If fuel costs remain where they currently are, Ivarson said the department will deplete their fuel budget by September.
“It’s not only us,” said City of Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano. “Everybody is experiencing a fuel crunch. We’re trying to look at other areas where we can make cuts to offset the budget.”
In an effort to reduce gas expenses, Ivarson has already instituted several policy changes at the department. For example, policies now prohibit idling of trucks and unnecessary trips, and more workers are traveling per truck. However, if gas prices continue to rise, more drastic changes may need to be made for 2009.
“Carl keeps tabs, and if prices keep going up, we’ll have to find ways to offset those costs, maybe by reducing other line items,” Maiurnao said. The mayor explained that if costs continue to rise, the DPW may have to reduce the number of part-time summer workers they hire next year in order to offset costs without raising taxes.
The City Fire Department is also expecting to meet their budgeted fuel amount by September or October, depending on the number of calls they see. “We’ve done all we can to get fuel costs down,” said Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo. “For us it depends on the number of calls. There’s not a whole lot we can do.” Chawgo explained that the department has cut down on non-essential driving to reduce the amount they spend on gas. “[Fuel] is something we can’t do without,” he said.
Even the City Youth Bureau may have to make some changes to accommodate the increased prices. Youth Bureau Director Robert Mason explained that the estimated cost for diesel fuel when he planned bus trips last year was approximately $2 a gallon. This year the cost is approximately $4.50 a gallon. “The money I have is not going as far,” Mason said. “It’s getting harder every year with budget cuts and increased gas prices.” Despite that fact, the Youth Bureau is still planning to take two bus trips this year, however they may not travel as far as in year’s past. This year, the group will be traveling to the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park and to Secret Caverns in Cobleskill. The City of Norwich no longer funds the Youth Bureau’s annual bus trips. The money is donated by a local foundation.
“It’s not going to go away,” Maiurano said of the high fuel prices. “We have to make adjustments to offset the costs, and hopefully, we’ll find a solution.
In the City of Norwich, both the Police Department and City Codes have begun doing bike patrols to save money on the cost of gas, but for other departments, like the Department of Public Works, the changes may be much more drastic.
At this month’s meeting of the City of Norwich Public Works / Public Safety Committee, Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson said the DPW’s fuel costs for the first half of 2008 had already equaled the total amount spent on fuel for all of 2007. To date, Ivarson said, the department has spent approximately $24,000 for fuel. If fuel costs remain where they currently are, Ivarson said the department will deplete their fuel budget by September.
“It’s not only us,” said City of Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano. “Everybody is experiencing a fuel crunch. We’re trying to look at other areas where we can make cuts to offset the budget.”
In an effort to reduce gas expenses, Ivarson has already instituted several policy changes at the department. For example, policies now prohibit idling of trucks and unnecessary trips, and more workers are traveling per truck. However, if gas prices continue to rise, more drastic changes may need to be made for 2009.
“Carl keeps tabs, and if prices keep going up, we’ll have to find ways to offset those costs, maybe by reducing other line items,” Maiurnao said. The mayor explained that if costs continue to rise, the DPW may have to reduce the number of part-time summer workers they hire next year in order to offset costs without raising taxes.
The City Fire Department is also expecting to meet their budgeted fuel amount by September or October, depending on the number of calls they see. “We’ve done all we can to get fuel costs down,” said Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo. “For us it depends on the number of calls. There’s not a whole lot we can do.” Chawgo explained that the department has cut down on non-essential driving to reduce the amount they spend on gas. “[Fuel] is something we can’t do without,” he said.
Even the City Youth Bureau may have to make some changes to accommodate the increased prices. Youth Bureau Director Robert Mason explained that the estimated cost for diesel fuel when he planned bus trips last year was approximately $2 a gallon. This year the cost is approximately $4.50 a gallon. “The money I have is not going as far,” Mason said. “It’s getting harder every year with budget cuts and increased gas prices.” Despite that fact, the Youth Bureau is still planning to take two bus trips this year, however they may not travel as far as in year’s past. This year, the group will be traveling to the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park and to Secret Caverns in Cobleskill. The City of Norwich no longer funds the Youth Bureau’s annual bus trips. The money is donated by a local foundation.
“It’s not going to go away,” Maiurano said of the high fuel prices. “We have to make adjustments to offset the costs, and hopefully, we’ll find a solution.
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