Less Snow Means Fewer Dollars Spent Dealing With It

Photo by william couch

The lack of snow this winter may be depressing for those of us who like winter sports or snow days, but local governments certainly aren't shedding a tear.

According to WTOP, the little snow the region has received thus far means that local jurisdictions are spending less of their snow-removal budgets than they have in the past. In D.C., the Department of Transportation has put out $3.5 million of a $6.2 million budget, while Maryland has spent $24 million of $36 million allocated and Virginia only $19 million of the $55 million that's set aside for winter prep and cleanup.

To put that in perspective, in December 2009 D.C. had already burned through $4 million of the $6.2 million it budgeted for the 2009-2010 winter, and that was before the big February storms. (The same winter, Virginia and Maryland applied for federal assistance because things got so bad.) Last year, Virginia blew its snow budget by $70 million, even though there was far less snow than the year prior.

Even though this winter is going easy on the region, that doesn't mean that anyone will be rolling around in tons of extra money, though. Crews still treat roads even if bad weather doesn't materialize -- it's happened almost a dozen times already -- and jurisdictions have to keep a solid supply of salt on hand. Additionally, we're not yet done with winter -- I've got my fingers crossed for another snowmageddon.

In related news, yesterday we reported that the D.C. Council tabled legislation that would beef up enforcement of an existing sidewalk-shoveling law. If we do get any significant snow this winter, the city again won't have any means to force people to clear their walks.

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By Martin Austermuhle in News on February 8, 2012 9:30 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

wizzyliz

Snow, dammit! SNOW! My new boots are getting dusty.

RJ

Good news, funds will be used to put a down payment on a velodrome
plow.

Guest

I love the big snow storms. The coeds and I stay in our pajamas, light a fire in the big fireplace in the great room, turn off the lights and light candles, drink hot chocolate, and make s'mores. Very nice.

ms_last_minute

Seriously, I am about to pack up and head over to Europe for a little bit.

monkeyrotica

Actually, it looks like Europe is getting the $h!tty weather we were supposed to get. But that's Socialism for you.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix...

CJ_Scudworth

I think that's just their version of artistic new bike racks.

MmmCashews

can the salt be reused for margaritas?

Fugitive Vizsla

Please invent this. Pleasepleaseplease.

JC

Plenty of snow on the way later today. If all goes well, I'll be commenting on DCist all day from home tomorrow!

slim_pickens

Which city's forecast were you reading? I thought it wasn't even supposed to stick.

JC

However, I'm having the last laugh because the Feds are apparently getting their weather info from the same sources I am. Unscheduled leave FTW!

slim_pickens

Don't you still have to work from home? Anyone can take unscheduled leave. It's called faking an illness.

JC

Hmmm, you're right. Just double checked weather.com and it says no significant snow accumulations. Serves me right for getting my forecast from FoxNews.

Guest

What is this
Frederickist?

D_Rez

*but leave the gruyere and aquavit.

Kev29

"Leave the gruyere, take the rösti"

- Switzerland's version of The Godfather was predictably dull.

monkeyrotica

Also the Bikini Team.

http://s1.hubimg.com/u/1253164...

mirrorballdc

The picture makes reminds me of crappy beer, ABBA ... and 9/11.

D_Rez

That'll perk up the ol' leiderhosen!

monkeyrotica

The lack of snow this winter may be depressing for those of us who like winter sports or snow days

GO BACK TO SWEDEN, MARVIN! AND TAKE YOUR SMELLY LUTEFISK WITH YOU!

Guest

Looks like DC and Maryland have spent a fair amount of money and we really haven't had that much snow.They have both spent over 50% of their budgets already. These are local budgets Virginia and of course DC, but for Maryland it is state-wide.

D_Rez

I imagine a lot of this money is up-front costs due to changing over equipment from other use to snow use, and preordering supplies that must be in place in advance of potential bad weather.