NORWICH – Low fuel prices are leaving a dent in local government budgets dealing with a loss in gas tax revenue, according to Chenango County officials, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

According to reports from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the July average price of gasoline is expected to be approximately 12.8 percent less than in 2015. Prices were 12.3 percent less in June and 14 percent less in May.

In fact, the summer travel season continues a year-long trend of fuel prices lower than last year. This year to date, all of Upstate has seen a 17.3 percent drop in average fuel prices compared to this time last year. Consumers in June paid an average $2.35 per gallon, down nearly 50 cents from last year’s average of $2.83 per gallon.

These low prices at the pump means less fuel tax revenue to Chenango County as well as towns and villages which are having to adjust.

“It could actually be a good thing,” said Chenango County Treasurer William Craine, who added that people who spend less on fuel tend to spend more on local services and at local businesses.