High gas prices are causing Lancaster County engineering department to triple fuel budget

Lancaster County residents are likely feeling the strain of higher fuel prices when they go to a gas station. They could also potentially see less infrastructure improvement and maintenance due to the cost of fuel for the county engineering department.

The Lancaster County engineer is asking for a 220% funding increase for motor fuels, according to a budget hearing at the Lancaster County Board staff meeting Thursday.

The department is requesting $1,925,000 for the 2027 fiscal year. That’s more than triple the $600,000 budgeted for this fiscal year.

At the budget hearing, County Engineer Pam Dingman said the reason for the requested increase is because of the continuing increase in the cost of fuel. She said diesel expenses, getting materials to construction sites or overall bidding of construction projects are all potential areas that could be affected by this surge in cost.

“My overall concern is that this will make it harder for us to continue to maintain the infrastructure that we currently have because of additional expenses we'll be definitely doing, if diesel stays this high, we'll definitely be doing much less for more money,” Dingman said.

The list of equipment that requires gas and diesel is lengthy for the county. From asphalt surfacing, to sealing cracks in asphalt slab, to delivering equipment to construction sites and plowing snow. The engineering department has over 100 pieces of equipment, with over 40 of those being heavy diesel users like dump trucks and motor graders.

Dingman referenced an increase for future project bids as the cost of fuel prices impact contractors.

“We have people bringing us supplies, whether that be lumber or rock or gravel, and their diesel cost is high, too. So that means they start having fuel adder costs on their bills,” Dingman said.

While county engineering has most of its current budget year work contracted, Dingman said in the fall when it’s time to bid for summer 2027 projects there is concern about potential costs.

This budget request comes in the midst of high gas prices across the country. In Lincoln, the average price for unleaded gas is $4.14 and diesel is at $5.18, according to AAA. Last year at this time, unleaded was $3.04 a gallon and diesel was $3.28.

If these high prices continue, Dingman said there will be certain restrictions placed on the engineering department.

“The impact on the residents will be less projects completed for more money, right?” Dingman said. “And then another impact could be that, depending on how high these fuel prices go, we may have to limit the amount of maintenance that we're doing to gravel roads.”