City of Ottawa plowed through snow budget again

The City of Ottawa spent $13.8 million more on winter operations last yearthan it budgeted,making 2016 thefifth straight year in which the city ran into the red clearing snow and ice.

And 2017's not looking much better, with the city currently on track for a $10-million shortfall.

Despite increasing the base budget by a few million dollars, the city still managed to dig itself into a deeper hole last yearthan it did in 2015.

That's partly because Ottawa spent the beginning of January 2016 digging out fromheavysnow that fell in the finaldays of 2015,said deputy city treasurer Isabelle Jasmin.

This winter's cold, snowyweatheralso hitearlier, Jasmin noted.

The city reviewed its snow clearing operations last year in a bid to cut costs and increase efficiency.

• Expect snow clearing changesas Ottawa tries to get costs under control
• Ottawa's snow threshold held firm at 7 centimetres

Staff couldn't say whether recommendations stemming from that reviewhad any impact on spending in 2016. That will be the subject of a report to be presented thissummer by public works manager Kevin Wylie.

Councillors heard Tuesday that the city is currentlyon track fora $10-million winter operations deficit in 2017.

That's despite having another $4.5 million added to this year'sbase budget for maintaining roads in the winter.