With the winter of 2016/17 looking like it’s ready to take its place in the record books for snowfall, at least in recent memory, removal of the white stuff has been an ongoing expense for municipalities, school districts, and businesses as well as homeowners.
The Town of Lake Cowichan finished 2016 with some money still in the budget for snow clearing but no one will know the final total until winter finally departs.
When town council was looking at the year-end financial figures at their finance and administration committee meeting on Jan. 10, chair Coun. Tim McGonigle said he expected to see costs for both equipment and personnel go up.
However, he said, local snow-watchers should consider the City of Victoria and how much worse it could be.
“Their total snow removal budget was $30,000. They used that up in one snow event,” McGonigle said.