Data indicates that Baltimore County spent more than $15 million on storm related costs this winter, more than twice the amount budgeted for this purpose. As reported by the Baltimore Sun:

The county allotted $6 million for snow-related costs in fiscal year 2014, and the additional amount spent will be taken from the county’s fund balance at the end of the year, said Baltimore County spokeswoman Lauren Byrd.

Specific county data collected provides the amount of salt used and removal costs per storm.

County-provided data shows 123,165 tons of salt were used at a price per ton of $54.77 in fiscal year 2014.

The most expensive storm of the year blanketed the area with one to two feet of snow between 8 p.m. Feb. 12 and 3:30 p.m. Feb. 14, and cost $2,192,238 for snow removal. Snowfall lasted until 10 p.m. Feb. 15 and cost an additional $486,863.

However, Baltimore County is not alone.  Many other counties also exceeded their budgets and are facing costly road repairs caused by the severe winter weather.  In a previous post on Conduit Street, MACo called this year “The Year of the Pothole.”

Recognizing the funding challenges created by this year’s severe winter weather, the Senate and House have both worked on a plan to provide $10 million to counties for pothole repairs in the fiscal 2014 budget.  The Governor included this funding in his supplemental budget released on April 1.  These funds will become available upon passage of the budget.