The cost of maintaining the District of Columbia government’s presence throughout the city could cost millions of dollars more than anticipated next year, in large part due to skyrocketing utility costs.

Between August and December 2006, fiscal 2008 estimates for “fixed costs” — electricity, natural gas, rent, fleet, telephone, security and janitorial — soared by $28.7 million. The new figures, prepared by the Office of Budget and Planning as part of the 2008 budget process, were released to D.C. agencies late last year, after they had finished their 2008 budget proposals.