Snow removal pinching budgets

As Mother Nature gathers steam for another string of winter storms about to hit the state, public works officials are starting to cringe when they look at the sky.

The extraordinary amount of snow and ice that's fallen on city streets so far this winter season has already eaten through most cities' road maintenance budgets, and public works departments across the state are scrambling to have enough people, salt and money to keep the streets clear.

Some cities like Riverton and South Jordan are even starting to ration their salt use so they can keep the roads clear but avoid running out of the valuable mineral.

"We're getting a little bit tired of it," said Riverton's public works operations supervisor Brent Bennett. "We're starting to run short on salt because we've used so much. We usually have a pretty good stockpile, but ... I'm dang near out. I have plenty of it ordered, but because of poor road conditions and the weather, it's not coming into our yard."

With the snow season only half over, many cities have already run through their budgets for snow removal and salt, and will have to find money elsewhere to keep the roads clear for the rest of the season.

By the end of January, Utah's Department of Transportation anticipates it will have spent $16 million out of its $18 million budget for snow removal this fiscal year, said UDOT deputy director Carlos Braceras. The agency will likely need to ask the Legislature for supplemental funding to cover costs associated with the snow removal, Braceras said, but UDOT hasn't yet formally requested the extra funding.

"In the Salt Lake/Park City areas alone, we usually spend about $1.5 million a year on salt," said Nile Easton, UDOT spokesman. "This year, we have already spent $2.5 million before (Tuesday) night's storm."

Salt Lake County

Making sure roads aren't icy has also pushed Salt Lake City well over its budget for salt, said Greg Davis, finance director for the city's Department of Public Services.

The department budgeted $216,000 for salt to melt ice and snow on Salt Lake City's 1,773 miles of road and 1.6 million square feet of sidewalk this winter. By the end of January, the city will have exceeded that total by about $150,000, Davis said.

The total cost increase to keep city roads clear so far this winter is unknown, he said. Personnel costs still have to be factored in, as well the additional fuel and maintenance to keep snowplows running.

Using the barometer of salt use, though, the city is 69 percent over budget for snow removal.