Regina $900K under budget for January snow, ice removal

Thanks to a mild winter, the city of Regina is reporting that it's nearly 50 per cent under budget for its January snow and ice removal expenditures.

And it looks like there will be big savings in February as well.

The average amount spent during January, calculated over the last five years, is $2 million. This year, the city spent $1.1 million.

"That's a fair bit for any season."according to Norman Kyle, the city'sdirector of roadways and transportation.

Though the final numbers aren't yet in for February, Kyle said the same savings are expected.

"We're estimating around an average of probably $2 million [spentin February], with $900,000 to $1million in savings."

Where's the extra money going? That depends on the weather and, if there is any remaining money come year's end, city council.

"It's really tough to say because it's only the first week of March, and so we can still have another couple months of winter. And also our winter snow removal budget doesn't follow the winter season," he said.

"It actually goes from January to December, so it also depends on what happens next fall from October to December."

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"Any reallocations of operating funds would have to go by council and would be subject to council's approval.It won't be available until 2017, because we still have half a winter season," Kyle said.

He also noted that despitethe scant snowfall this year, city crews are working their normally scheduled hours, not overtime.

In cases like this year's mild winter,"we are allocating our resources to other things,like hauling gravel, water and sewer works andrepairing potholes."

That means the city hasn't had to rely nearly as much oncasual staff, he said.