Linn County struggling to keep up with high gas prices

Linn County is feeling the bite of high fuel prices, and some county departments may need help to make it to the end of the fiscal year.

County Conservation Director Dan Biechler told supervisors at this morning's work session his department has already overspent its fuel budget for the fiscal year with four months to go. He'd assumed paying $2.25 a gallon for gasoline when writing the current budget over a year ago, but instead has been paying more than $3 for most of the year (government agencies don't pay the state's fuel tax of 21 cents a gallon for gasoline and 22.5 cents for diesel).

Biechler, who'd budgeted $96,500 for the fiscal year, said the department has spent just under $102,000 for fuel through February. He told supervisors he expects to spend another $43,000 on fuel, assuming $3.25 for a gallon of gas and $3.50 for diesel, through the end of the fiscal year June 30.

Tom Hardecopf, director of the county's LIFTS bus service, said the agency expects a $12,000 shortfall in its fuel budget.

Supervisors instructed Budget Director Dawn Jindrich to survey other department heads for their costs and projected fuel budgets through June.

"I'm far more concerned about next year, because the trend line is not good," said Supervisor Linda Langston, D-Cedar Rapids.

Jindrich said departments could postpone purchases of replacement equipment next year.

"There's not a lot of fat there that I've found," said Supervisor Brent Oleson.

"I don't want to create further hardship, but LIFTS, that's something where we charge per ride," said Supervisor Ben Rogers, D-Cedar Rapids. "We have to address it now, and really deal with it next year."

Biechler said his department buys fuel on a one-year contract with Linn Co-op Oil, which doesn't lock in prices.