Some local government and law enforcement agencies are modifying their budgets and making adjustments to keep up with high fuel costs.

In D.C., the city budgeted $12 million for gas for the fiscal year ending in September. But it has revised that estimate to more than $16 million. Officials say funds became available because the police department didn't move its headquarters this year.

Fairfax County (web|news) officials spent $5.2 million on gas in the fiscal year that ended in June 2007. This year they spent $7 million, and next year expect to fork out $8.7 million.

Agencies are also coming up with long-term ways to conserve. For instance, Fairfax County has about 100 hybrid cars, while county police have about 13. Arlington County police have 10 hybrids.

Virginia State Police officials are postponing training, curbing travel and eliminating some employee voicemail to pay for gas.

The state Department of Transportation has frozen hiring, cut travel and training, and postponed some maintenance.

The $2.9 million budgeted for troopers in the past year is about half the agency's actual fuel bill, which totals more than $6 million.

In May alone, the transportation department spent $2.5 million on diesel fuel, more than $1 million than last year.

While business costs are increasing, revenue from gasoline taxes is dropping as people drive less.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine says that could send the state further into debt and lead to more cuts. The state's projected deficit is already $2 billion through 2010.

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