BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON — The St. Lawrence County Highway Department and Solid Waste Department will now have more funding for fuel and repairs after County Legislators approved two resolutions to increase appropriations for the expenses.

In a unanimous vote during a full board meeting on Aug. 1, legislators approved both resolutions that will allow both departments to compensate for the higher than expected costs of fuel and repairs.

“The Department’s expenses for equipment repairs, fuel and various other appropriation lines are projected to exceed the 2022 budget and the projected overage in these expenses can be offset by projected revenue increases and appropriation decreases,” the Solid Waste Department resolution read.

In total, appropriations for the Solid Waste Department will increase $441,100 to cover fuel costs, electricity, equipment repairs and maintenance, as well as state fees, according to the approved resolution.

In total, $160,000 will come from decreasing appropriations from within the contingency budget, with another $140,000 coming from recycling tipping fees.

Increased revenue totaling $141,100 will come from solid waste tip fees, according to the resolution.

Legislators say in the resolution for the Highway Department that “the Department of Highways has solicited bids for a fuel management system for each of the facilities in Lisbon, Russell and Potsdam and the lowest responsible bidder for this project has been determined.”

The resolution goes on further stating that the board authorizes the Chair to sign a contract for the three outposts in Lisbon, Russell and Potsdam not to exceed $178,190.

For the Highway Department, appropriations for the Lisbon, Russell and Potsdam subcontracts will be decreased evenly across all three accounts for $178,190 in total.

Offsetting the decrease from subcontracts, appropriations will be increased for the Lisbon, Russell and Potsdam outpost buildings evenly to account for the $178,190 to cover the additional fuel expenses.