Jefferson City snow costs have tripled over previous winter, official says
Jefferson City Public Works director Britt Smith presented a report to the city’s Public Works & Planning Committee Thursday morning, reviewing the effects of the heavy amount of snow and ice that struck the city during the 2018-2019 winter season.
“This [meeting] was actually just trying to come full circle with our council to make sure they were aware of where we were at,” said Smith.
Smith told committee members that this winter season, his department has used roughly the same amount of manpower, treatment material and equipment costs as the previous three winters combined.
“We try to use the least amount of material as possible and the least amount of hours,” said Smith. “Our mission when it comes to snow fighting is to provide the safest road conditions we can as quickly as we can for the citizens.”
Smith also presented to the committee the current breakdown of snow routes. There are 20 routes in the city, with 11 centerline miles per zone.
With 29 members, the street and wastewater division is the most heavily staffed within the department. A breakdown of the manpower can be viewed below.
Jefferson City Public Works Manpower Requirements
Street/Wastewater Division
29
Parking Division
7
Central Maintenance
8
Airport Division
3
Transit Division
2
Total Personnel Involved
49
Smith said the Public Works Department requested a supplemental appropriation of $130,000 to replenish the 3,500 tons of salt and 20,000 gallons of liquid calcium that is stored in the city’s two chemical storage locations.
