It's not only the little guys getting hit hard with the constant gas price increases. Area municipalities also feel the burn of filling up.

Municipalities learned lessons at this time in 2007, when the area witnessed gas prices skyrocketing from $2.25 per gallon in 2005 to $3.20 per gallon last year. Sharpsburg, Aspinwall, O'Hara and Blawnox increased their fuel budgets, ranging from $100 to $2,400.

"When we were planning the budget, we increased the gasoline line item for 2008 because we were all in agreement that gas prices seemed to be on an upward climb," said Blawnox borough Secretary Sherry Kordas.

Officials budgeted $15,000 for gas and so far have spent $4,675 filling the borough's 10 vehicles. Blawnox does not pay the taxes retail customers do per gallon, Kordas said. It gets a credit on its bills for state, special and federal excise taxes.

"It's a significant savings that adds up," Kordas said.

Aspinwall also increased its gasoline budget, albeit only by $100 from last year's $17,250, which was more than $2,800 over the budgeted amount.

Council believed the borough, which fuels two police vehicles and a motorcycle, four public works vehicles and three fire department vehicles, could save on gas costs by eliminating some services, such as street sweeping every other week, according to borough manager Ed Warchol.

"We were trying to get over that part of the budget by restricting trips, eliminating some things," Warchol said. "We will probably have to add money the way prices went up."

Sharpsburg's fuel budget increased by 13 percent, or about $2,400, since last year's $18,000 budget proved to be the nearly exact amount needed.

The borough fuels three police vehicles and six public work vehicles, such as street sweepers, mowers and trucks. It already has used about 23 percent of its fuel budget, up until April.

"With the most dynamic fuel increases occurring over the past six weeks, there is certainly a concern over fuel usage," borough secretary Ron Borczyk said.

"Like anyone, we are very conscious of fuel usage and are attempting to consolidate trips and use care in the planning of daily tasks."

He also noted that because Sharpsburg only encompasses .75 square miles, the price of gas has not affected the borough as much as it has "more rural communities, such as O'Hara or Shaler."

O'Hara owns 15 passenger vehicles that already have guzzled up 45 percent of the allotted fuel budget, meaning it may go over budget this year.

"If necessary for public safety, the township will utilize unappropriated funds (for the) balance," township manager Julie Jakubec said.

The township witnessed a dramatic increase in gas costs from only five years ago, when it budgeted about $58,000 for gas. The 9 percent increase from last year's budget means officials believe the tab will be more than $88,800 this year.

Fox Chapel also bumped up taxes from last year for its 24-vehicle fleet. The budgeted amount this year jumped 69 percent, from $31,000 to $45,000.

Sharpsburg and Aspinwall borough's gas prices have increased by more than 50 percent since only five years ago when they budgeted just more than $10,000. This year, Sharpsburg's budget jumped to $20,400 and council set Aspinwall's fuel budget at $17,350.

Some contractors and vendors tack on extra charges because of gas prices or simply increase costs for their services.

"We are expecting major increases, directly related to fuel, when the new contract terms are announced," said Borczyk, in regards to garbage and salt contracts council is bidding on. The new prices will take effect during the third and fourth quarters.

Summer road projects haven't yet taken a hit as it is early in the paving season, but some council members believe some streets will be put on back burners until prices decrease.

"Fuel is a major factor in paving streets and so we have to start with biggest stretches first," said councilman Larry Stelitano, of Sharpsburg.

Jakubec said that won't have an effect on O'Hara, as roads needing paving still will be fixed this summer.