FARMINGTON – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department has nearly spent its $32,000 gasoline budget for cruisers this year and there are still several months to go.
There is $2,500 left in the account, county Treasurer Karen Robinson told the county commissioners Tuesday.
The department filled up its bulk tank with 2,000 gallons on July 22, she said.
In comparison, Oxford County Sheriff Department budgeted $31,550 for gasoline in 2005 and had spent $24,014.15 as of July 31, Oxford County Treasurer Susan Starbird said Tuesday.
A representative of the Androscoggin County treasurer’s office was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike told commissioners he was open to suggestions on how to conserve money on gasoline.
Commissioner Gary McGrane of Jay told Pike it was his problem and he would have to deal with it.
When the budget was done last year, Pike said, it was not in his “wildest dream” that he would be looking at $2.35 a gallon for gas. He agreed the problem was his.
Pike said he is hoping that he has enough money for gas to take the department to mid-October.
Pike said that after gas prices soared he implemented changes, including shutting off vehicles except when they are at a crime or accident scene where emergency lights are needed, or when a cruiser needs to be kept cool for a police dog. He’s also entertained the idea of putting two officers together in one cruiser to save energy, he said.
Commissioner Fred Hardy of New Sharon said keeping the cruiser running for the police dogs was one more cost the county is incurring for the animals, and those costs seem to be increasing.
“I just want to be sure these K-9s are something we really need” and producing results, Hardy said. “Every time we’re talking about K-9s we get into these situations of more money.”
Pike responded, “Blaming the cost of fuel on K-9s is inappropriate.”
Discussion followed on buying fuel with lower octane and whether that would adhere to manufacturers’ guidelines for the cruisers. Pike said he would check out the vehicles’ warranties.
“I look forward to see you staying within budget guidelines,” McGrane said.
The Jay commissioner also noted that he didn’t have the time to discuss how the Sheriff’s Department would stay within the budget.
Pike said he was there in “good faith” to keep the commissioners apprised of the situation and that may not be the case in the future.
After the meeting, Pike said his department is looking into ways to conserve energy to stay within budget. The 2004 budget for gasoline was $30,000 and that was increased by $2,000 for this year.
The budget crunch could possibly result in curtailing all patrol activities and responding only to specific complaints, Pike said.
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