Although snow recently hit the state of Iowa, a city official in Perry explains the overall lack of moisture is contributing to their department’s budget.

According to Perry Public Works Director Josh Wuebker, with the exception of Wednesday’s snowfall, the city is approximately 15 inches behind its normal rate of snow. However, he says that city officials have put down a good amount of salt, especially with periodic dustings over the past few months. Before this most recent snow, Wuebker notes that city crews have only plowed once in town. He shares that when it doesn’t snow consistently, then it is beneficial to the city’s budget.

“Snow removal operations are paid for from the road use tax, which is when you fill up your car with gas and pay your registration. That money doesn’t go away, that just stays in a fund. So that helps us there and it also helps us with our salt. I think this year we may have purchased 200 tons of salt (and) some years we’ve gotten 400 tons, so that just allows us to keep that product because it doesn’t expire, it doesn’t go bad, which just means it’s less that we have to order for next year for that budget year.”

Wuebker highlights that the city’s budget has allowed crew members to purchase a new John Deere tractor and snowblower to use for the remainder of this winter season and beyond. He reminds residents that city crews take care of snow removal within city limits, with the major highways like Highway 141 and Highway 169 being handled by the Iowa Department of Transportation.