SUN INVESTIGATES With scarce snow, agencies save

Surpluses will carry forward to next year’s expenses or return to the general fund

With little snowfall in the Baltimore region this year, local governments are saving big.

This season has tied the winter of 1949-1950 as Baltimore’s least snowy on record, meaning the city and surrounding counties are coming in under budget on salt, labor and snow-removal equipment. But there are still some costs. In Baltimore, transportation officials say they have spent about $3.6 million of the city’s $6.3 million snow budget. Last year, the city budgeted only $2.8 million, but the price tag topped $39.4 million.

“I’m taking credit for the nice weather,” city budget director Andrew Kleine joked before the City Council at a recent budget briefing.

“When we have surpluses in the snow budget, we carry those forward to the next fiscal year,” he said. “That becomes our first line of defense against excessive costs.”

With Baltimore school officials trying to close a $130 million budget deficit, City Councilman Brandon Scott asked whether the money could be used to help the schools.

“Couldn’t that $6.3 million hypothetically be used for us to give a larger contribution to the school system?” he asked.

Kleine argued that wouldn’t be the smartest use of those leftover funds.

“I think we’re going to need it for future years,” he said. “We’re looking for other solutions for the schools.”

Baltimore County has spent nearly $5 million so far, said public works spokeswoman Lauren Watley. That includes $2 million to fill two new salt barns, which are used as reserves.

The county typically budgets $6 million each year for snow removal, Watley said. Any money left over goes back into general funds.

Snow-related spending in Baltimore County has ranged in recent years from $1.8 million in 2012 to $15.7 million in 2016.

Anne Arundel County has spent $1.1 million so far this winter, spokesman Owen McEvoy said. The county spent $6.2 million last winter.

Howard County has spent about $774,000 of its $1.1 million snow removal budget so far this year, spokesman Mark Miller said. The county spent $3.2 million last winter.

Carroll County has used $860,000 of its $2.1 million budget so far, said Ted Zaleski, director of budget and management. Last year, storm costs totaled $2.4 million.

Harford County’s snow-related expenses so far stand at about $694,000, according to spokeswoman Cynthia Mumby. The county budgeted more than $2.2 million. Last year, the county spent more than $2.4 million. Baltimore Sun reporter Luke Broadwater contributed to this article. — Alison Knezevich