Extra Snow This Winter May Impact Cleanup Budgets in Local Communities

NORTHERN WISCONSIN – The cost of clearing snow can be very expensive for maintenance crews in several local communities in the Northland.

Noow city and county officials are concerned how snow cleanup may impact their budgets.

Every year a budget is set by City and County leaders in Northern Wisconsin to prepare for a typical snow season.

But what happens when substantial snowfalls eat away at snow cleanup budgets.

Weeks of snow across Northern Wisconsin has caused countless hours of cleanup and thousands of dollars deducted from snow budgets in local communities.

In Bayfield County, drivers start at 4 AM following a snow storm to cover the state and county roads in their responsibility zone.

Last week’s two day storm alone cost the county more than $50,000 to cover the area.

Bayfield County leaders believe if excessive snow continues it could impact other budgets throughout the year.

“The more we spend on winter the less we have for summer projects so it does affect us overtime,” said Bayfield County Highway Commissioner Paul Johanik.

Officials in neighboring Ashland County will also be watching their budget closely as winter continues.

“We call it benching, going along the banks and chopping them down. When the next snow fall comes we have a place to push it,” said Director for Ashland Public Works John Butler.

Butler continues, “That’s a cost to our budget that might not be apparent or might not be seen.”

More snow is expected this week.

Even with budgets getting tighter, both counties are prepared to start the cleanup process once the snow arrives.

As a reminder drivers are asked to stay alert and keep a safe distance from snow cleanup crews.