by:  Diane Benjamin

Citizens know that gasoline has hit them hard since prices have been over $3.00 a gallon for more than 1000 days.  Just 5 years ago gas cost about half of what it does now.  What you probably haven’t considered is what the increase has cost government.  The City of Bloomington fuels police cars, fire trucks, and numerous other City vehicles.  Their costs went up just like ours, they just use a lot more.

When the City does something right, I’m not going to pass up the opportunity to thank them.  They planned and hedged the prices to control costs.  With prices fluctuating widely, they did the best job possible.  It looks like Jim Karch, Public Works Director, should get most of the thanks.

Here are some interesting details:

Fuel Usage

Fuel use for the City of Bloomington had increased each year until peaking in Fiscal Year 2007/2008 at 466,775 gallons. In Fiscal Year 2008/2009 usage decreased 26,331 gallons or 5.64%. In the last Fiscal Year 2009/2010 fuel usage decreased 21,108 gallons or 4.79%.. This is a total decrease of 47,439 gallons or 10.16%from our peak usage.



Fuel cost per gallon

In our Fiscal Year 2007/2008 our average cost per gallon peaked at $2.78 per gallon.
In Fiscal Year 2008/2009 the City’s cost per gallon peaked at $4.20 for diesel in June.
The lowest cost per gallons was $1.27 for no lead in December for an average of $2.67 per gallon. This is a $.11 decrease or 4% from the previous year. In FY 2009/2010 we paid an average of $.38 less per gallon or 14.23%. This is a decrease of $.49 per gallon or 17.62%in the last 3 years.

Imagine if the City could still buy gas for $1.32!  Even $2.00 a gallon would be nice.  If the City uses 450,000 gallons and fuel and costs go up $1.00 per gallon, that’s $450,000.  Even $.50 a gallon is $225,000.  How many sidewalks would that fix?

Here’s a link to the entire report:  1022 Fuel Strategy Report 20131.1.wps

The Federal government wants to abolish the use of fossil fuels, the cost to citizens isn’t considered.  Drilling permits in the Gulf and in western states were cancelled.  The Keystone pipeline is still waiting for approval.

This policy hits your wallet in more ways than one, just thought you would want to know.

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