MADISON, Wis. — In case you missed it, rising diesel prices are continuing to impact Wisconsinites’ daily lives. As prices soar, critical services communities depend on – like emergency services and schools – are seeing their budgets pushed to the limits as they crunch the numbers on filling the tanks of fire trucks, ambulances, and school buses with diesel. Read more below. 

Eau Claire Leader-Telegram: Budget concerns grow as diesel prices surge in Wisconsin

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reported surging diesel and gas prices are stretching city budgets in Chippewa Falls. Fire and EMS vehicles run on diesel, and the soaring prices are far exceeding what was originally budgeted, as diesel prices nearly doubled in the last year, due to the war in Iran. 

  • “Fire & EMS Chief Brian Tonnancour said there isn’t much they can do about spiking diesel prices, which have reached $6.62 per gallon on average in the state, according to AAA. One year ago, the average diesel price in Wisconsin was $3.51 per gallon. The city’s four ambulances and three main fire trucks all run on diesel.”

WEAU: Record fuel prices strain western Wisconsin school districts

School districts are also seeing their budgets strained due to skyrocketing diesel prices and the need to keep school buses running for getting students to and from school as well as for field trips and extracurriculars. WEAU reported the Osseo-Fairchild School District anticipates an additional $7,000 to $10,000 in fuel costs for their next bulk diesel purchase. Because of the rising diesel costs due to the war with Iran, the school district is also seeing increasing prices in other essentials they need for their students, like food for student meals and supplies. 

  • “The district anticipates an increase of $7,000 to $10,000 in fuel costs alone for the upcoming purchase, according to Superintendent Lori Whelan. Under Wisconsin law, public school districts are required to provide transportation for all eligible students residing within their boundaries, including those attending private schools.”
  • “‘We have a set amount of money for the year that we budget,’ Whelan said. ‘We typically try to budget a little bit higher in our transportation so we have some cushion. But we are not only seeing the effects in our transportation costs — we will be seeing it in the food that we have to purchase for our meals that we serve our children and any other supplies.’”
  • “Because federal and state funding has not kept pace with inflation, Whelan noted that many Wisconsin districts have increasingly turned to operational referendums to absorb rising overhead. To offset the fuel surge without affecting classroom instruction, Osseo-Fairchild plans to reduce external travel for staff development, cut back on substitute teacher needs, and actively apply for supplementary grants.”

“The war with Iran is driving up gas and diesel prices, and we’re not only feeling the pain at the pump – it’s impacting everything in our lives.” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Rep. Derrick Van Orden voted to support this war. Now, we’re seeing ripple effects on our schools, our emergency services, and our other essentials, which are harming western Wisconsinites.”