Mild winter saves Kane County $400,000
The Kane County road maintenance kitty is a little fuller this year, thanks to the mild winter.
Because it hasn't had to plow and salt roads much, it has spent less for salt and on overtime pay.
Higher temperatures, with fewer freeze-thaw cycles, has been kinder to the roads, resulting in fewer potholes.
So reported Tom Rickert, the transportation division's deputy director, to the Kane County Board's transportation committee Tuesday.
Rickert said the county's spring order for next winter's salt will be reduced by 2,500 tons due to the supply on hand. The county has used 5,900 tons this year, compared to 10,000 tons last year.
Plows and salt trucks have hit the streets about 20 times this winter, he said, compared to 37 times last winter. Thus, the county has spent $275,000 less in salt and $125,000 less in overtime.
Committee member Jim Mitchell asked about the costs of potholes.
“Knock on wood, Mr. Mitchell, because we will probably have about 40 inches of snow (now),” joked committee chairwoman Cathy Hurlbut.