Snow-removal efforts dig deeper into budget
County used up allotted funds for cleanup in December
The snowfall Saturday, which reached nearly 8 inches in some areas, and the additional snowfall Tuesday have added to an overall shortfall in funding in Prince George's County, though officials are not yet sure by how much.
As of Dec. 25, the county had already spent the $2.6 million it budgeted for snow removal for the fiscal year that ends in June, Public Works Spokeswoman Susan Hubbard said Monday.
Hubbard was unable to say how much the county spent this week on trucks, extra shifts and equipment to clear streets.
"The event is still going on," she said.
Though the county's funds for snow removal are tapped, Prince George's will continue removal efforts whenever they are needed. It will be up to the county government to find money at the end of the year to make up the shortfall, Hubbard said.
"It's something that has to be done," she said.
Prince George's County is not the only government struggling with snow removal funding this year. After the Dec. 18 snowstorm that brought about 20 inches of snow and had snowplows working for two straight days, Maryland highway officials announced they had also exhausted their removal budget for the year.
Several county municipalities, such as Greenbelt, Bowie and Laurel, said they were at the end of their removal funds, as well.
Schools were closed Wednesday and were delayed Monday for two hours, but Hubbard said roads were already cleared by that time.
"It's the sidewalks," she said. "Not everybody has gotten around to clearing them yet."