Gas prices prompt change in operations

Rising gas prices forced Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong this week to take away department cars for all non-essential employees.

"We budget around $150,000 for the year (for gas) and we anticipate a shortfall of $59,000," he said.

The six officers in the department's detective division were each assigned a take-home vehicle, and several patrol deputies were able to take home their vehicles as well, but with gas prices surpassing $4 in many places and no relief in sight, that is no longer an option, said Furlong.

Now, only the on-call detective and command staff will have a take-home vehicle.

In instances in which more than one officer is called out from home, which happens during homicide investigations and felony crimes in which a suspect has fled, the detectives will have to drive into the department in their personal vehicle and pick up their detective car.

"We are really trying to explore where are the corners that we can trim," he said.

In addition to cutting back on take-home vehicles, Furlong said shift sergeants are now putting more than one deputy in a patrol car.

"On a case-by-case basis, supervision is doubling up cars."

He said gas prices have not affected services.

Lyon County Sheriff Allan Veil said he anticipates exceeding his gas budget of $230,000 by 9 percent before the fiscal year ends. Lyon County covers 2,000 square miles.

As a result of the overage, Veil's offices in Yerington, Dayton, Silver Springs and Fernley have been cutting back on other things.

"Office supplies. Copier supplies. Paper," he said. "Some of the other things we were going to buy will have to wait."

Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.