Staff writer
Marion County motorists likely have been pumping more gas with the recent drop in fuel prices.
Manager Nicole Herzet said motorists are pumping more gas at Casey’s General Store in Marion.
“The gallons pumped have gradually gone up,” Herzet said. “I think people tend to go more places when gas prices are lower.”
Unleaded gasoline was $1.39 at Casey’s on Tuesday.
Last week, Casey’s prices were as low as $1.35, compared to December 2015 when prices were $2.09, she said.
“People keep saying, ‘Keep those prices down if you can, it’s super great,’” she said.
USD 408 accountant Jordan Metro said Marion schools have not seen any savings in fuel costs because this year’s contracted price was already set.
USD 410 Superintendent Steve Noble said Hillsboro schools decided to pay at the pump this year instead of paying a set bid.
“We’ve done it both ways,” Noble said. “This year we felt better about paying at the pump because of the surplus of oil and gas prices were projected to drop.”
Although Nobel could not provide an exact number because that figure was “too big to guess at,” he was confident USD 410 would save money on fuel-related costs.
However, he also noted the consumer price index on other products and services the district uses has “generally increased,” though school funding has not.