GREAT FALLS — As one of the heaviest snow seasons on record - and a new annual record already - this year's snow totals have required Cascade County Public Works to supply more manpower and hours.
“If the snowfall hits over the weekend we have to bring in extra manpower and equipment and that consists of overtime...Were already using up more overtime this early in the season than we normally would,” Payne said.
Despite needing more crew members to work longer hours, Cascade County Public Works interim director Les Payne said his team has plenty of supplies to weather through the winter.
“Our Road and Bridge Superintendent is really good about getting materials in early enough. This year we did it when we got that first snowstorm just because you don’t know what Mother Nature’s goin to bring,” Payne said.
Payne explained that since there aren’t separate budgets for each season, the department has to make funds last the whole year.
“Our budget runs the same throughout the whole year so we don't have a budget set for summer and for winter. It’s one set year that we have to cater to,” Payne said.
