High prices at the gas pump lately are enough to make anyone wince when it's time to fill up, and organizations that provide town services are no exception.

Due to increasing fuel costs, the Pahrump Town Board approved a 5.8 percent rate increase for Pahrump Valley Disposal to help pay for the increasingly costly operation of servicing the town.

John Shea, PVD manager, told the board the company had been facing steady increases in costs since January 2007.

In attempt to absorb a 66 percent increase in fuel expenditures from January 2007 through April 2008 Shea said the company had implemented several measures to increase efficiency.

These included designing more efficient routes and installing automatic shut-off devices on the trucks' engines to decrease fuel wasted when they are idling.

Looking at more than $4.32 per gallon for diesel as of April, however, fuel conservation measures go only so far, especially with the disposal company's usage of 100,500 gallons annually.

Board member Don Rust asked whether the rate would go back down again should fuel costs decrease in the future, to which Shea replied, "Absolutely."

"I think looking forward, we're going to find a way to adjust more regularly," Shea said.

Shea pointed out that in the 11 years Pahrump Valley Disposal has been the town's trash service they have never approached the board for any increases except standard cost of living adjustments.

The rate adjustment will be effective June 1.

* The disposal company isn't the only town service being affected by prices at the pump.

The Nye County Sheriff's Office has issued a press release announcing several measures it will implement to lessen the sting of rising gas prices.

One strategy is a targeted enforcement program, meaning deputies will perform stationary observations in between calls for service for 15 minutes an hour in areas identified as having high crime rates, traffic problems and other community issues.

In addition, the sheriff is requesting citizen cooperation and asking residents to use the online reporting system more often.

Citizen questions for deputies addressed by telephone and office calls will initially be handled by office staff instead of having deputies drive back to the Basin Street headquarters.

These measures will allow the sheriff's office to maintain current staffing levels and its emergency response capabilities.

"Our commitment to community safety has not changed, and our commitment to public safety has not changed," the statement said. "Together we will get through this."