Gov't spending less during mild winter

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)--The 2011-2012 winters’ mild weather may translate to more than just comfort for government in northeast Indiana.  It also means the possibility of huge savings.

By the beginning of February in 2011, the city of Fort Wayne had purchased $687,015 worth of salt.  One year later, it has spent $431,820.

In February of 2011, the city had paid $112,203 in overtime.  So far in 2012, that number is $39,251.  That means the city has spent $328,147 less in the past two months compared to where they were at this time last year.

According to Frank Suarez with the city of Fort Wayne, the surplus would go right back toward improving roads.

“When we can save a little bit of money because we had a mild winter that's a good thing,” Suarez said.  “But we're always cautious because we sometimes will get through mid-February and then get some major storms that kind of put things right up to where they were.”

The 2010-2011 winter yielded an average of 30 degrees as a high by February.  So far in the 2011-2012 winter, the average has been more than 41 degrees as a high.

INDOT officials said they're sure they saved some money so far this winter but won't know how much until the end of March.