Mild winter means savings for county

This year's unusually mild winter is good news for Callaway County's budget.

Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said Friday the mild winter will translate into major savings for the county.

"The mild winter will have several impacts on our county budget. The lack of substantial freezing and thawing means our county roads are in much better shape than they normally would be this time of the year. We won't have the expense of using a lot of crushed rock to repair the roads along with the crews using equipment and using expensive gasoline," Jungermann said.

The savings in purchases of crushed rock could be significant because of recent increases in prices along with higher fuel costs.

"We also didn't have all of the expenses relating to clearing snow and the wear on vehicles and equipment," Jungermann said.

"We probably won't have to buy any salt this year because we still have a good supply. Normally, we spend from $35,000 to $40,000 on salt alone. That in itself is a big savings," Jungermann said.

"It's not just the county that will save money on our mild winter. Cities and the Missouri Department of Transportation also should have major savings," Jungermann said.

Jungermann said the county is moving forward with a project to pave County Road 256.

Callaway County has received a $300,000 industrial infrastructure grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development to improve the county road and help create jobs.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.