In Lubbock County, Texas, commissioners are trying to figure out a way to shift to a four-day week but fear the change could deprive taxpayers of services.
"We're trying to save all we can," Commissioner Mark Heinrich said. "If you do something, you're not going to please everyone."
Government officials have struggled this year over how to save money on energy without cutting essential services. According to a recent survey by the National Conference of Mayors, a quarter of mayors have cut services to make up for increased fuel costs.
Some cities are taking innovative approaches. In Oklahoma, Stillwater has designated "natural areas" of parkland where grass will be allowed to grow unimpeded. Starting this month, workers are mowing less than half the acreage they were mowing last year.
"There's been a lot of building here recently," spokeswoman Sherry Fletcher said. "We don't have as many natural areas as we should."
In Texas, fuel costs account for 10% of the capital city's projected $20-million deficit. Austin is requiring all employees who drive public vehicles to attend seminars on proper maintenance schedules and other ways to reduce fuel costs. It's also converting its fleet of public vehicles, buying for the Police Department 118 Crown Victorias that run on an ethanol-gasoline blend, said Matt Watson, policy director for the mayor's office.
Denver has turned up thermostats in city buildings 4 degrees and allowed its workers to shed jackets and ties to compensate. "What you're getting is a more casual, comfortable lifestyle that saves money and puts less CO2 in the atmosphere -- what's not to like?" Mayor John Hickenlooper said.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has directed city departments to cut fuel usage and reduce their fleets by 10%. The city is finishing a new system that will track gas usage in each of its 9,000 cars, said Tony DeClue, assistant general manager of the General Services Department.
"We don't expect to have any reductions in services due to the fuel crisis," he said.
Cleveland was already in the midst of a major efficiency campaign when officials found that they were going to be several million dollars over budget. They've cut 1,000 cars from the city fleet and used computer analysis to rearrange trash pickup routes.
"What's smacked us in the face is the same thing that's hit everyone -- gas prices," said Chief Operating Officer Darnell Brown, who has asked department heads to shave 10% from their fuel costs.
