Marble Falls schools weighing how to trim fuel costs; could involve working with city
MARBLE FALLS — School officials are looking at entering a contract with Texas Fleet Fuel in an effort to get a better grip on gas and diesel costs.
Under a proposed plan that emerged April 16 at a School Board meeting, the Marble Falls Independent School District will only pay TFF for the fuel it uses, not in bulk.
The plan also includes working with the city of Marble Falls, which would fuel its vehicles at the MFISD transportation facility.
The school district faces a constant fluctuation in gas and diesel prices, said Allen Roberts, assistant superintendent.
In today’s market, the district’s fuel costs can range from 4 cents to 14 cents or even more above the oil index, Roberts said. The index is what the dealer pays for the fuel.
“With this we get a rate of 10 cents above the (index),” he said.
The district would also include an out clause in any contract.
The city could also get fuel from tanks at the MFISD transportation facility. Roberts said the city and school would have two separate codes so each would get billed separately.
City Manager Ralph Hendricks said Marble Falls has used TFF for several years.
“The accountability has great advantages for us,” he said.
Under the plan, TFF would provide the district a weekly fuel report detailing how much fuel it used and which vehicles were using what amounts.
Roberts said he expects to bring a contract for approval during the May meeting.
Trustee Karl Westerman said he liked what he saw after reviewing TFF and the concept .
“I did a little poking around and there are a number of schools doing that and they’re raving about it,” he said.
In other business, the board approved a request from the Marble Falls High School band to take a trip in 2013 to Hawaii. The costs would be paid through fundraising and no district money would be used, officials said.