Mild winter saves the city money this year

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The city is saving some money this year and may again next year.  It’s all thanks to the weather.  The last couple of years have been fairly mild when it comes to total snow.  This means less salt is being used, and purchased.

Reports from around the state say that some cities have a huge surplus in salt.  In Lafayette and West Lafayette, for example, the surplus is so great that their reserve barns are getting full.  Here in Fort Wayne, the situation is actually good for the city.

The salt surplus in Fort Wayne is only slightly larger than what they were expecting for this time of year.  This is because it’s not only how much snow, it’s how the snow falls.

"It's not only about big snowfalls" Said Frank Suarez of Public Works. "That’s because sometimes it could be a small snow that's around 2 inches, but it lasts for 10 hours.  That means we have to go and salt in those intersections 3 or 4 times a day.  So it depends on the rate that it comes down, and also the amount.  And certainly ice can contribute to that as well."

Fort Wayne is also a bit behind average for snow this season.  As of February 18, the area had only received about 17 inches of snow for the season, about 9 inches below average. Depending on the rest of the 2012-203 winter season season, the 2013-2014 winter season could begin with a salt surplus as well.

Starting the season with a surplus is good news. The city won’t have to purchase as much salt. Frank Suarez said that he estimates that the city saved around $40,000 this year because of the surplus that they city began the season with.  With this season being so mild, this could mean even more savings next year.