Caroline Carlson | Daily Press Operator Bill Boyce restacks road salt in stored at the Escanaba Department of Public Works building.

ESCANABA — This winter’s lack of snow has helped budgets on both city and county levels.

Gladstone Director of Public Works Barry Lund estimated the cost of clearing 4 inches of snow to be approximately $10,000. Last winter the total cost of snow removal in Gladstone was $154,800. Though December 2020 numbers aren’t in yet, Lund estimated that so far the expense has only been about $15,000. He said excess money goes back into the fund balance and can be used for paving. In addition, less snow saves Gladstone money because his employees can work on other projects without the city having to pay for outside help.

Escanaba can also use money not spent on plowing for other road-related needs, while re-allocating workers to other projects.

“Money is saved primarily in overtime, as the employees are still working full-time and being charged to other activities, both in the street funds and the general fund,” said Bob Becotte, Escanaba director of public works.

Delta County Road Commission Director Jody Norman said though every storm is different, he’d estimate an expense of $60,000 to $80,000 per storm. Like Escanaba and Gladstone, the county can use any surplus left at the end of the winter for other road repairs.

In addition to saving on plowing, snow removal departments are spending less on salt. Gladstone had 200 tons left over from last year’s salt purchase. Since that’s half of what they typically use per winter, this winter they only had to order 200 tons to restock.

While the weather has had an impact on local snow removal operations, the pandemic has not. Neither cities nor the road commission struggled due to supply issues or employee illness.

“The guys have been pretty responsible taking care of themselves,” said Norman, who added that he’ll know in a few months if his budget benefitted from lack of snow. “Early to tell yet. We could have a rough February and March. It’s fantastic now, but It can turn in a quick hurry.”