Inflation Taking a Toll on County Government Budget

Fayette County Commissioners grappled with rising prices, especially for fuel, at a meeting last Thursday. The County might have to cut some projects planned for this year as spending outpaces revenue.

“We’re halfway through the year and fuel has doubled, materials are going crazy,” County Judge Joe Weber said at the June 9 meeting. “What’s the solution? Do you cut back? In order to stay on our budget, we’re going to have to cut back.”

Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel said he just ordered a tanker load of fuel for his road and bridge department. Once it arrives, Sternadel said, he will have spent 80 percent of his fuel budget for the year.

“We’re going to spend what we can and that’s it,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom. “That should be the same for every department. You have X amount of money, and you need to prepare for it.”

Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann said his road and bridge department will make sure that all roads remain safe and passable. But Brossmann said his crew will likely not be able to complete all the construction projects he planned for this year.

“You’re going to have to cut all that back and do less miles of road,” Brossmann said. “The money you’re saving there will pay for the fuel.”

McBroom said all departments in the County government must live within their means.

“We can’t print more money,” McBroom said.

“Yeah, only the federal government can do that,” Weber said.

Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff said he will likely scrap some repaving projects to focus on maintenance such as patching potholes and mowing rights-of-way.

“We need to make sure we have enough money set aside to pay our workers and insurance,” said Berckenhoff. “We’re going to do a lot of pothole patching and shredding ditches. But when we run out, we run out.”

County Auditor Cindy Havelka said she advised some department heads to hold off on large equipment purchases, such as vehicles, for the remainder of the budget year.

“They may need to hold off on buying vehicles so those funds can be used for gasoline,” she said.

McBroom asked Havelka to draft a letter to all department heads advising them to cut spending.

“There’s six months left in this year to prepare for it,” McBroom said. “I think that’s key. We all know prices are going up. You have to prepare for it.”