Too Much Salt in Muskego Road's Diet Leads to $65K Budget Shortfall

While it might be the last thing on anyone's mind, Dave Simpson, Director of Muskego Public Works, is looking ahead to winter and road salt.

However, it's with good reason. Simpson said that although this past winter arrived late, the number of snow events has far exceeded previous years, and has left the city salt-free, which doesn't bode well for November and December.

"Generally we have two salt sheds that are filled every year, and we can use whatever is left from the first part of one year to cover what we need in November and December," Simpson told the Finance Committee Tuesday night.

However, with numerous snowfalls in late winter that more than made up for last winter's snow drought, he said the entire supply has been depleted.

He estimated the city would need about 1,200 tons of salt to cover the months of November and December, which will cost approximately $65,000 over and above the current $160,000 salt budget. If you're doing the math, that bought slightly more than 3,000 tons (slightly more than six million pounds) for the city of Muskego streets.

However, as the previous three years have realized a surplus for the city, Simpson explained that finance director Sharon Mueller said there was enough in the city's general fund balance to "more than cover" the overage.