HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN) — The pain at the pump is now making its impact on our local county governments.

During Monday’s Houston County Commissioners meeting, leaders approved increasing the county’s fuel budget by $540,000 to cover increased prices for each gallon of gas.

Officials tell WDHN News that every year they always budget a little extra to cover cost increases. However, with gas prices hitting record highs this summer the cost to fill up county vehicles has gone up significantly causing the commissioners to have to increase the budget.

“We have to pick up garbage, we have to fix roads, we have to have sheriff deputies out on the road, so we use fuel,” Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver said.

He adds the budget increase reflects how much gas prices have increased and how that’s impacting the county’s operations.