BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The snow is gone, but so is the money set aside to clean it up if any more falls this year in Brown County.
“We never really had much snow, ice, or cold weather until the week after Christmas, so if it stays true to that form, we might be in good shape,” said Bernie Erickson, a Brown County Supervisor.
This year, Brown County Public Works budgeted $1.6 million for winter work. Its already spent $579,842 more than that.
“We’re only 25 percent through the year, so that’s a lot,” said Paul Fontecchio, Brown County Public Works Director.
Fontecchio tells FOX 11 his department will cover the extra money spent on winter work by doing less summer work. Summer has about the same amount budgeted, but only 11 percent of it has been spent.
“Maybe we do some more of the minor repairs and leave some of the bigger crack-filling projects and what not, the more expensive things, for next year.”
The county is also unexpectedly spending $743,000 on flood damage. The hope is some summer road projects will come under budget.
If that doesn’t happen, a 1.2 mile stretch of County Highway PP that was supposed to be resurfaced between Viking Lane and Old Martin Road will be put on hold.
“It can survive another year compared to other roads,” said Fontecchio. “Other roads are unraveling faster than that one.”
While it is hard to stomach putting off some road maintenance, Fontecchio wants people to remember there are years where the county comes under budget and more road work can be done than anticipated.
“It all does balance out in the long run. In the short term, it’s a little painful. Just like an unexpected bill at home.”
Brown County did not qualify for federal aid from this spring’s flooding.
The county board also vowed not to borrow money for a six-year period, while it collects a half-percent sales tax for infrastructure projects.
