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If youre struggling with the high price of gasoline, be thankful youre not the city of Stamford. Starting July 1, the city will pay 72 cents more a gallon for gasoline and 88 cents more a gallon for diesel fuel, Director of Operations Ernie Orgera says.
Its going to be a very difficult fuel budget, Orgera says.
Currently, the city is paying $2.71 a gallon for gasoline and $2.63 for diesel fuel. From July 1 through Dec. 31, the price will be $3.43 for gasoline, $3.51 for diesel. The price is set by a six-month agreement between the city and a co-op program with several neighboring towns.
To make matters worse, the citys fuel spending is expected to come in over budget for the current year because of the extensive snow plowing this past winter. Further, the city did not fully account for the price change when it developed a spending plan for the next fiscal year. From July through December, the city is expected to spend $87,000 more on gasoline and $93,000 more on diesel fuel than in 2010, Mike Scacco, Stamfords Fleet Manager says. But the budget for the upcoming year accounts for just an $80,000 increase for gasoline. The allocation for diesel fuel actually fell by $22,000.
While the city searches for additional funding for fuel purchases, Scacco is looking into ways to save on consumption. They include limiting idling time, consolidating trips and adding more hybrid vehicles. He is even looking into a hybrid sanitation vehicle.
We take it very seriously that the fuel prices are going up, Scacco said.
The city will enter into a new agreement for the six month period starting Jan. 1.
How have you dealt with the high cost of fuel? Share your thoughts below or email them to reporter Anthony Buzzeo at tbuzzeo@mainstreetconnect.us.
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