Source- Carroll County Times: Increases in the costs of gasoline, diesel, electricity and natural gas meant a staggering amount of money was put toward the county’s energy needs in the fiscal year 2009 budget, said Ted Zaleski, director of the Department of Management and Budget.  “It’s a major cost driver for us,” Zaleski said during a recent roundtable meeting with the Carroll County Board of Commissioners. “It’s one of those areas where spending more doesn’t get you anything. If we spend a dollar improving a service, someone is better off for it. If we spend extra money heating a building, no one is happier for it.”  One of the biggest jumps came under the Bureau of Fleet Management’s budget, which increased almost 11 percent or about $1.7 million, for a total of $7.1 million. Of the increase, $1.3 million was just to cover the rising cost of gasoline and diesel.
Reese said about 650 vehicles use the fuel, including those used by the Bureau of Permits and Inspections, Sediment Control and other county departments.  Other agencies, such as Westminster City Police, the Health Department and the Board of Education, can also access the county fuel pumps, Reese said.  In those cases, the agencies buy the fuel at the rate the county paid. The county is able to recover about 43 percent of the fuel budget, according to a presentation on the recommended budget.