WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — Many municipalities are welcoming the mild winter weather after two rough winters in the last two years, and that includes the city of Wisconsin Rapids.
“We know it’s coming,” said Mayor Shane Blaser, referring to the first big storm of the season. “But, every day in January [without snow] brings us closer to February [means] a shorter winter season.”
Wisconsin Rapids and many other municipalities keep snow removal dollars in a “lockbox,” meaning that all dollars allocated for snow removal in the annual budget stay earmarked for that purpose. Anything leftover rolls over to the next budget in case the next year requires more attention to snow removal than the previous year.
“You never know from year-to-year. Any good year we can get we appreciate because we know other years aren’t so good,” he added.
The last two winters have seen significant snowfall including some late-season storms in March and April. Those have required significant snow removal efforts, and in many cases caused cities to dip into those snow removal reserves to cover costs associated with them.
Blaser adds that if the year starts with several big snow events, it can make for a tough budgeting year because there is also a chance that the year could end with a blizzard or two.
“You’re getting it on the front and the back end of the year. So since November-December (2019) was pretty quiet, it is helpful on the budget,” he said.
While crews haven’t been focusing on snow removal, many communities have been able to get smaller road projects completed.
Other topics Blaser discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Update on the city’s snow removal budget
3:00- Fundraising efforts to pay off short-term loans for WRRC
7:59- Continued efforts to eliminate special assessments for residents through added property taxes for all
12:00- Highlights of Tuesday’s city council meeting
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