Tyler

By ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writer

Smith County’s budget is being busted by rising fuel costs, officials say, as expenditures for gasoline and diesel fuel near the $1 million mark for fiscal year 2008.

On Monday, commissioners will get updates on several projects intended to soften the budgetary blow.

“Smith County has seen a 311 percent increase over the last three years in road material costs due to spiking petroleum costs and a 177 percent increase in overall fuel costs in the past four years,” Commissioner JoAnn Fleming says. “We must do what every family and every business is doing, and that is actively, constantly looking for ways to manage our dollars smarter.”

The county’s plan includes a buying strategy that capitalizes on bulk purchases and market fluctuations, increased fuel storage capacity, fuel conditioning (to increase fuel efficiency), additional security around the fuel storage, and joint purchasing agreements with nearby cities, emergency services districts and school districts.

“We are reaching out to other agencies in an effort to lower fuel costs as much as possible for everyone,” Purchasing Director Kelli Davis says. “When we help each other, we better serve the taxpayers. The name of the game is saving money.”

Commissioners meet at 9 a.m. Monday on the first floor of the Smith County Courthouse Annex, 200 E. Ferguson St.

Other items to be considered for approval on Monday include: