By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- The quick descent in gas prices could mean significant savings for St. Lawrence County and other municipalities, according to county Treasurer Kevin Felt.

And the price drop is also allowing residents receiving social services benefits including Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) payments to stretch those dollars further.

Although gas prices in the North Country are about $1 more than the national average, prices here have dropped by more than $1 per gallon in the past few months.

With a gasoline bill of $1.05 million in 2014, the price drop could mean several hundred thousand dollars in savings for the county in 2015.

Felt said this is good news for the county and taxpayers. He said the savings will likely have a significant impact on the budget.

“Budgets were made on fuel prices from as far bas as June, so if prices stay down for the whole year we are going to see savings,” he said.

If the price of crude oil continues to fall or remains low, additional savings are expected in paving materials, transportation surcharges, tires and steel.

The current price of crude oil is about $50 a barrel, down from $110 per barrel in January 2014.

While most of the drop in fuel costs is positive, Felt said it could mean a reduction in sales tax revenue.

“It certainly has the potential to hurt sales tax, but we won’t know that impact until the end of the quarter. Prices have been dropping, but we will have a better indicator next month,” he said.

Overall though, Felt says he isn’t too worried a bout a dip in sales tax.

“In my opinion, based on the area we are in, when people have savings in one pocket they will be spending it somewhere else,” he said. “Typically people aren’t just stashing that money away, they are using it on purchases they have put off.”

Felt said that even if there is a reduction in the sales tax, it will likely be offset by savings in other areas, especially in the highway department.

The highway department St. Lawrence County Highway Department Supervisor Don Chambers says the savings will be substantial.

He said the county does not “lock-in” on fuel prices, making the county’s purchases subject to changes in the market. He said that decision is common among most municipalities and that most highway departments, if not all in St. Lawrence County will see similar savings.

He said fuel is among the largest expenses in his department as St. Lawrence County is massive in size.

Chambers said the impact of fuel prices reaches every department in county government, but one area they won’t see much savings will be in heating costs as most of the county’s facilities are warmed with natural gas.

However, the lower fuel prices will allow the county’s Social Service Department to stretch their emergency heating funds further.

Department director Chris Rediehs says allocations for families receiving help are allotted by monetary values. That means as the fuel price drops the amount of fuel that can be obtained by individuals goes up.

He said this is great news for those receiving help as well as those who aren’t.

“I think the price for home heating is down about 80 cents from last year. So that’s going to be good news for anyone heating with oil,” he said.

Felt said he is hopeful the price will continue to fall or at least remain low, but noted that anything can happen over the next 11 months. But, regardless of the future, Felt said St. Lawrence County government and taxpayers should be enjoy the savings.