Mild Winter Pays Off in Salt Savings

Fewer snowstorms meant less salt used on roads in , which already has a stockpile ready for next year.

Service Director Thom Evans said the city typically uses about 4,200 tons of road salt a year, but only 2,400 tons were used last winter.

The deadline's approaching for city approval to join with a state purchasing program for next year's supply and Evans said much less will be needed because of the reserves.

"We have a lot on hand and we're going to have a lot more soon," he said, adding that the city has to accept another delivery from last year's order.

At about $45 a ton, the savings from using 1,800 fewer tons was about $80,000.