City staffers will take the unusual step of giving a full update on this year’s snow removal campaign in Red Deer at the Dec. 2 council meeting.
In light of the 60 cm record snowfall in November, the city will outline where it is in its snow and ice removal program. Typically, Red Deer sees about 15.9 cm of snow in November.
Crews were expected to begin plowing snow routes in residential areas on Monday.
City manager Craig Curtis said the city is obviously significantly over for what it typically spends for snow removal in November.
City council allocated $3.4 million as part of the 2013 operating budget for snow removal. Council will begin debating the 2014 operating budget on Jan. 7.
Curtis said it is difficult to determine whether the city will stay on budget because of the unpredictably of Mother Nature.
Clearing residential streets just once can easily cost more than $700,000 and removing windrows from all residential streets can easily cost $500,000.
Red Deer residents are being encouraged to help the city identify areas of concern by reporting them to the Public Works Department at 403-342-8238.