2007 Snow Removal Takes Toll on Reserve $$$

Saturday, January 19, 2008 05:08 AM

(Opinion250 file photo)

Prince George, B.C.- The City’s Manager of Financial Services says, "We just squeaked through."

Sandra Stribany says the final figures are in for snow control operations in the city last year and the efforts to keep our streets clear of the ’white stuff’ took their toll on the Snow Control Reserve Fund.

The 2007 budget was set at $4.0-million dollars, but the actual cost came in at $4.4-million dollars -- with a balance of $155-thousand dollars in the reserve fund and interest earnings on that -- the amount left in the fund as of December 31st was slightly more than $41-thousand dollars.

In 2006, the city spent $5.3-million dollars on snow removal operations, but the cushion in the reserve at that time was a healthier $1.1-million dollars.

Prince George City Councillors will begin debating the 2008 budget for snow removal, and all city expenditures, at the start of next month.

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Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008 05:08 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: opion1 on January 19 2008 5:34 AM

Boy...I would really hate to see the price tag if a good job was done removing snow from our streets. Where I live we can go days with any type of snow removal. This year it was 4 snow falls and 8 days later until I had to call and ask what the protocal was for the removal of snow. Of course I never received an answer but I did have a small plow come through and make one pass. And I live on a school bus route.

Posted by: owl on January 19 2008 8:40 AM

I have noticed this in previous years, although, other than last year, those previous years were some time ago, the amount of snow clearing and speed of snow clearing is directly related to the amount of money left in the budget.

The relation to the amount of snow that fell is much less evident. Residential streets get less service; snow storage in the centre of streets stay longer. In fact, this year they stayed so long that the Citizen devoted an editorial to the lousy service and the fact that safety was compromised.

We have been �spoiled� over the last ten years. I am relatively certain that if we had to clear as much snow as was done in the 1980-1990 decade, let�s say, out budget would be at least 25% too low, even as high as 50% possibly.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on January 19 2008 9:11 AM

I agree with Owl.
When I moved to PG in 1978, they were bitching about the cost of snow removal and always going over budget.
And they didn't do a very good job either.
Always the minimum.
Guess what?
It actually snows here in the north and some years it snows a lot!
What is it they don't seem to get about that?
Seems odd how there is always money for everything else?
They really need to get over that, and do a better job with maintaining the infrastructure of PG.

Posted by: NMG on January 19 2008 9:54 AM

Perhaps it wouldn't be such a problem if we didn't have 75,000 people in an area that should service 250,000.

Posted by: Bridge on January 19 2008 10:24 AM

But how do we go about getting the density?

Short answer its called planing. Do we have a plan? I dont think so we just wing it.

Do we have a budget? See the above.

Cheers

Posted by: doneright on January 19 2008 10:52 AM

You know maybe the snow budget would be a lot larger if city hall cut back on its trips abroad.
Every one else is having to cut back because of this recession why not city hall.
The mayor and his entourage need to tighten their belts. Nine trips to China and not 1 dollar invested in Prince George. In this day and age why is city hall not using videoconference calling, fax machines, etc. I think the Prince George citizens need to rethink their voting come next November, before the taxpayers get the bill for the mayor and his entourage attend the 2010 winter Olympics. I hope Ben Meisner or Dan Rogers�s runs for mayor.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on January 19 2008 12:07 PM

Well said doneright!

Posted by: Junco on January 19 2008 2:00 PM

You've got to be bustin my chops! 9 trips to China???

Posted by: duffer on January 19 2008 2:53 PM

If they stopped spending on frivolous things like the art gallery, multiplex, sports centre, and the new performing arts centre, perhaps there would be enough money to clean the streets once in a while.

Posted by: realitycheck on January 19 2008 4:54 PM

Hmmmmm.. snow removal is a bit slower this year.....I wonder where all those City employees could be?? Maybe looking after the flooding issues??!! Think people....they can't be in two places at once. I don't think anyone here clearly understands the amount of hours these guys have put in down by the river. I'm surprised the snow removal is as good as it is given the circumstances.
Good good crews..some of us greatly appreciate your efforts.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on January 19 2008 5:05 PM

I don't think the issue is with the workers themselves.They do the best they can with what they have.
It comes from above as always.
They just do what they are told they can do.

Posted by: tinyapplecork on January 20 2008 9:09 PM

The city could save money on the snow clearing....It doesn't take 3 graders to clear ONE lane...two of the three could be in other areas. Also, the guys driving the sand/plow truck could also have the blade down and be actually dropping sand when doing the rounds. I have seen this with my own two eyes! Absolutely mindboggling! Whatever the reasons, why does the city continually underfund the snow clearing budget? Sorry crews can't cut you slack on this one. If you're understaffed there is this thing called a casual pool! Plenty of people looking for work.

Just my opinion....