Winter weather budget holding strong in Cedar Rapids

This year the snow is falling, without Cedar Rapids' budget in mind.

“So far this year we've had three storms that have been on weekends and only one on a regular work day,” said the city's street maintenance manager Craig Hanson. “So yes that does increase it and makes the budget tighter.”

Hanson says labor is the biggest cost when it comes to keeping the streets clear.  That's why the city budgets anywhere from $150,000 to $180,000 for overtime.  They might clock more hours soon with freezing rain in the forecast for New Year's Day.

One way they're trying to save money is buying the salt earlier in the year at a cheaper price.  Hanson says this allows the city to budget more money to pay for overtime.  Despite the three big storms, the city says the its winter weather budget is holding strong.

“There's an average about eighteen inches of snow that can come from between now and the end of the snow season,” said Hanson.  “We are pretty much on track for it.”

Hanson says he expects about 15 to 20 storms every winter, with 5 to 7 of those storms effecting the entire city.  He says a fleet of trucks are ready with newly stocked salt and sand, if freezing rain coats Cedar Rapids roadways later this week.

If the city exceeds its winter budget, Hanson says they'll pull from other city funds, but he doesn't expect that to happen this year.