St. Cloud Managing High Gas Prices as Administrators Prepare Budgets

(KNSI) – High gas prices have strained St. Cloud’s finances as city administrators start putting together their budgets for 2023.

Mayor Dave Kleis says while fuel prices are stressful, the city was ready.

“It is certainly something we don’t like to see, but it’s absolutely manageable. We anticipate and expect anomalies every year and it’s manageable going forward. Especially now that we see a lot of those costs actually receding as we’re into mid-summer.”

He says each department is responsible for budgeting fuel usage and all are spending more than anticipated. For example, Kleis says public works had budgeted $270,000 for gasoline in 2022 and has already spent more than $375,000 with about four months left to go this year.

Kleis says residents won’t see any changes to city services this year because they’ve been able to use reserve funds.

“Most of the adjustments and reductions you’ll see will be made in the 2023 budget because we’re able to manage the 2022 budget with reserves. When we go into 2023, that’s where you’ll see reductions in other parts of the budget.”

The mayor is in the process of putting together the 2023 budget and will make his initial presentation at the August 8th city council meeting.

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