Local News
Related Photos
City is taking a beating on fuel costs
Controller estimates costs $250K over budget
Kokomo city officials are expecting to spend about $250,000 more than budgeted for fuel costs this year, just one more way high fuel prices are affecting local residents.
The city buys fuel in bulk, but is still paying $1 more per gallon than the same time last year, city controller Jim Brannon said last week.
“We just did a cursory review, but we know what we’re paying for it, and when you add a dollar a gallon to that ... And this is even with some of the things we’re doing to become more efficient,” Brannon said.
Brannon confirmed the city is once again looking at its take-home vehicle policy and is considering charging city employees a fee.
“We’re trying to decide what’s in the city’s best interest,” he said. “We might charge a small fee to cover the cost of going back and forth to work.
“We want it to be such it won’t be a deterrent; we like the idea of community policing and police cars being visible, but at the same time we have to be responsible. It’s only fair they contribute a little bit to the price of fuel, especially with it being $4 a gallon.”
Oil prices are also hurting the city’s street paving plans, with city officials deciding against an expanded street resurfacing plan this summer.
Last week, the city awarded a $1.345 million contract to E&B; Paving, Anderson, for the street resurfacing program, roughly the same as the city has spent in recent years.
But to keep pace with the city’s resurfacing needs, city engineer Carey Stranahan said the city street department will try its hand at street resurfacing this year.
About $140,000 will be added to that department’s budget to perform more in-house resurfacing work, Stranahan said.
Last year, the city purchased asphalt at $64.85 a ton. Last week, the price was $76.50 a ton, Stranahan said.
“What property tax reform meant in Indiana was downsizing local government,” Brannon said. “You’re just not going to be able to do business the way you’ve done it in the past.”
Scott Smith may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com
- Local News
-
-
Jefferson Manner exec fired amid drug charge
The executive director of a Kokomo retirement community was fired Wednesday after being accused by police of using and selling methamphetamine.
- Shots fired near Walnut and McCann streets Police are looking for several men in a green car that fled the area of Walnut and McCann streets Thursday afternoon after several shots were fired.
-
NIPSCO plans to absorb Kokomo Gas
A northern Indiana-based gas and electricity provider announced today it intends to absorb Kokomo Gas and Fuel.
-
U.S. 31 work to begin on Tuesday
Heavy-duty equipment is in place along Business 31 in Miami County, but it won’t be used until Tuesday.
-
Kokomo City Line service starting Tuesday
Tracy Nelson said she’s sick of paying close to $40 every week to fill up the gas tank of her car.
-
More help needed for Day of Caring
Forget Uncle Sam for a moment — Cheryl Graham wants you.
-
Mayor urges action on emergency dispatch merger
Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight was brief Wednesday when asked to assess the county’s progress on a proposed emergency dispatch consolidation.
-
Yates gets 165 years in prison in Rethlake murder
Even though Michael Yates was not one of the shooters in the April 5, 2008, double shooting that killed Abby Rethlake and injured her friend Morgan Vetter, he was sentenced the same as if he had pulled the trigger.
-
State rethinks plan for Ind. 22
Hold the phones, the state of Indiana won’t be yanking the traffic signal at Apperson Way and Markland Avenue after all.
-
In-car cameras an integral part of policing
Anyone who has ever watched “COPS” or saw last week’s incredible video of the Ohio teen launching his Camaro into a concrete bridge column understands the power of police video technology.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Jefferson Manner exec fired amid drug charge
