Let it snow, let it snow, let it ... Okay, you can stop now
Economic impact of snow removal unknown; disaster declaration possibleBy Michael Tidemann - Staff Writer
Article Photos
While the full financial impact of the holiday storm of 2009 remains unknown, city and county governments have been working - sometimes around the clock - to keep roads open around the county.
In Estherville, five contractors and four more trucks were hired to help clean up the 21 inches of snow that fell, most over the holidays. That's of course in addition to city employees working overtime.
"A lot of this work was overtime," said Estherville city clerk Vaughn Brua.
Without all the bills for last week's storm not in yet, Brua said it would probably take until mid-January to know the total cost of cleanup. Brua said employees from the city electrical and wastewater departments helped haul away snow last week as well. Brua did say that hiring outside contractors helped save equipment and overtime wages for city workers.
Brua said a disaster declaration has already been made for the Council Bluffs area, bringing federal funds to help with the cleanup costs.
Estherville residents are urged to heed announcements about keeping vehicles off roads following a storm so city crews can do their jobs. Apparently some vehicles were towed after the holiday storm.
"The guys have been out making good progress on the roads," said Emmet County engineer Roger Patocka.
Patocka said crews worked from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. since the Wednesday before Christmas Eve through Tuesday, winging back snow in the event of another storm. "Everything should be open at this point," Patocka said.
Like Brua, Patocka said the final bill isn't tallied yet for the holiday storm.
"We should be okay now," Patocka said.
If storms continue into January and February, though, Patocka said that could put added strain on the snow-removal budget.
"You could always use more equipment and more people," said Patocka. "We appreciate our equipment and we do appreciate the guys out there. We can't be overstaffed either."
Patocka has had one and possibly two resignations of recently part-time temporary secondary roads employees. "I believe we'll be looking for some alternatives," he said.
Two other temporary employees who have returned from previous years are filling in for the winter months. Patocka said the county union contract limits temporary employees to six months.
"The guys have managed. The guys did a heck of a job with the resources that we do have," Patocka said.
