How Much is Left of the DSM Snow Budget? - ABC5 News Des Moines, IA

How Much is Left of the DSM Snow Budget?

Jessica Daley

jdaley@myabc5.com

@TheDaleyReport

We've had three major snows in central Iowa this winter and a lighter snow fall is expected Tuesday.
 
Several hundred plows take to Des Moines' streets after a snowfall. Some of those are toward the end of their life and broke down this winter. Public Works had to rent 11 vehicles to make up for that.

Public Works Director Pat Kozitza says renting vehicles may be a better option than buying new ones, specifically the motor patrol units, which have a blade underneath them to scrape up the ice and snow.
 
"We'd like to see this rental option and study it as a strategic move to keep costs down and maybe not replace those but go with long-term lease arrangements," Kozitza says. "So we'll look at that for next year."
 
The rental costs equal $184,000. The department has currently spent $2.2 million of its total $3.2 million snow budget.