Winter weather racks up high cost for Boone County Road and Bridge
COLUMBIA, MO (KMIZ)
Equipment, material and labor costs related to winter weather have been higher for Boone County Road and Bridge than in previous years.
Greg Edington, director of Boone County Road and Bridge, said crews have not had a chance to update the budget since the snow that moved through the area on Sunday and Monday.
He said these types of weather events are more expensive for the department, and there have been several since the beginning of 2019.
"In an event like this last one here, you know, it goes on for days it's going to be a lot more expensive than a quick hitter like a one-inch overnight snowfall," Edington said.
The most recent numbers from the department are from Jan. 1 to Feb. 22, 2019.
During that time the county spent a total of $753,270. Equipment costs were the highest at $413,530. Material costs were $147,933, and labor costs were $191,807.
Edington said equipment costs are usually more expensive, and generally increase during bad weather.
"We've got extra heavy equipment involved like the motor graders and they have to spend a lot more time out in the field and, of course, they don't put material down on gravel roads," he said.
Edington said the snow in January was one major contributor to the overall costs for the 2019 calendar year.
The department has also spent money on materials and overtime this year. It recently ordered 1,700 tons of salt. It also went through around 4,000 gallons of fuel in two days between its two locations since Monday. Edington also said the department has already run over on overtime.
Edington said the department struggles to fill positions throughout the year, and the money that goes towards those salaries can be moved to pay for overtime.
He also said he is confident the winter weather costs for 2019 will surpass the costs from 2014, which was the last most expensive year since 2013.
Winter weather costs in 2014 totaled $759,196. Equipment costs were also the larges portion of the budget in 2014 at $459,688.
You can find winter weather cost summaries below:
