Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Alex Cabrero reportingWith all the snow we've been getting, many of us are ready for Spring to finally get here, especially people in Syracuse, Utah. The public works department there says all this snow has wiped out the budget.
It's a good thing the sun was out today, helping melt most of the snow on the roads. Already, the city is over budget for snow removal costs. And that was last week, before this weeks snow storms.
Debbie Hunsaker, Syracuse: "We got a lot of snow."
Debbie Hunsaker is one of those Syracuse residents who woke up to more snow.
Debbie Hunsaker, Syracuse: "It's amazing because right now, there's nothing here... But this morning, we had 3 to 4 inches we had to blow off my driveway."
What was left in yards, youngsters made the most of.
Syracuse's Department of Public Works only wishes all the snow was fun for them too.
Michael Waite, Syracuse Public Works: "We're hoping the moisture that comes from the sky will be anything but white."
Michael Waite is director of the city's public works department. This year, they budgeted $11,000 to plow snow off the streets. Only thing is, Mother Nature budgeted more.
Michael Waite, Syracuse Public Works: "We budget the best we can with the numbers we have, but you're right. We have gone over our budget."
Right now, Syracuse is about $4,000 over budget. Their salt supply, which is more expense this year, is almost gone too.
Michael Waite, Syracuse Public Works: "The last two storms have been the big events for us."
A small pile of salt is all that is left for Syracuse. They're hoping they don't get any more snow, because if they do, they know they could be in trouble.
Stacey Dayton, Syracuse: "Yeah, that's kind of amazing, but I guess with the growth and all the building they've done."
Stacey Dayton has lived in Syracuse her whole life and can't believe how much the city has grown, especially in the past year. All those new homes mean new streets, which means more snow removal.
Debbie Hunsaker, Syracuse: "They have a lot more to plow than they did last year."
Syracuse has 80 miles of roads to plow. A few years ago, it was half that. Of course, if more snows falls, they'll still plow.
Next years budget for snow removal, no doubt, will be a lot higher.
