+34
The Sault's cost of winter control this year could go as much as $3.3 million over budget
The past winter's record snowfall could put a multi-million-dollar chill on the Sault's municipal finances, city councillors will learn Monday night.
"It’s imperative that council be made aware of the current situation," says Steve Facey, the city's manager of finance, in a report to Mayor Matthew Shoemaker and ward councillors. "As anticipated, winter control activities are currently overspent for the first quarter," Facey wrote. "Based on the total accumulation, staff anticipates over-expenditures of $2.7 million to $3.3 million, primarily tied to snow removal and the hired equipment required to perform the service.
"This estimate is highly variable and subject to change based on invoice timing and actual results. It is difficult to predict where the city will land with respect to its year-end position, as in previous years the city has been able to absorb overexpenditures corporately.
" "As always, staff will attempt to mitigate these over-expenditures, and staff will report back with second-quarter data to clarify the city’s current position," Facey wrote. Also at Monday night's council meeting, Shelley Schell, the city's chief financial officer and treasurer, will report that the city overspent 2025 winter control costs by $2.5 million. Schell will ask council to transfer $556,138 from a winter control reserve fund to offset the remaining 2025 winter control deficit.
Monday's city council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New judge announced to fill bench vacancy in Sault Ste. MarieBorn and raised in northern Ontario, Karen Pritchard will take on new role as judge after being appointed to Ontario Superior Court of Justice, replacing outgoing Justice Brian DeLorenzi
Read more »
Transmission failure: Hydro One says investigation ongoing into this morning's massive Sault outageOutage that blacked out a wide swath of Sault Ste. Marie on Friday is being attributed to 'loss of supply' to PUC
Read more »
💛 Help Sault Ste. Marie win $5,000 for animals in needThe Hearts for Paws community challenge is on now and a simple click can cast your vote for the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society
Read more »
UPDATE: Power fully restored in Sault, says PUCA total of 34,065 customers were left without electricity as the city's supply of electricty was cut off shortly before 11 a.m.
Read more »
Why ‘Rapid City’ failed and ‘Steelton’ stuck in early 1900s Sault Ste. MarieIronvale won by a single vote over Soo West in a show-of-hands meeting in March 1902, only to be rejected because it sounded too much like Irondale.
Read more »
Sault Area Hospital Celebrates Mental Health Week with Events and New MuralSault Area Hospital is hosting a series of events during Mental Health Week (May 4-10, 2026), including an information table, a trauma and addictions symposium, and the unveiling of an interactive mural installation called 'Cocoon to Community'. These initiatives aim to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote access to mental health and addiction support services in the Sault Ste. Marie area.
Read more »