When major winter storms hit New York City, the task of removing ice and snow from city streets can be gargantuan – and expensive. The old oft‐cited adage is that the City spends $1 million per inch of snow removal. However, a closer look at recent New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) budget data reveals a much more nuanced portrait of ice and snow removal costs, with declining cost curves that resemble the slippery slopes of a toboggan jump.

Clearing ice and snow from primary, secondary and tertiary streets is a complex task involving specialized supplies, machinery and personnel. Over 3,000 pieces of ice and snow removal equipment are pre‐positioned along snow‐plowing routes and activated once needed. Immense quantities of salt and calcium chloride are purchased and spread each year and the replenishment of winter weather hardware such as tire chains and plow blades is an ongoing necessity.

Winter weather events require the Sanitation workforce to mobilize with little notice, at times, and for durations, dictated by Mother Nature. From mid‐November to early April, DSNY increases its nighttime staffing levels and when winter storms threaten or occur, DSNY assigns
many within its workforce to special twelve hour shifts. In some circumstances, temporary assistance from non‐DSNY personnel is also sought and paid for on an hourly or contract basis.

This report will briefly examine and explain the City’s ice and snow removal budget, including fluctuations in the amounts spent during a twelve year study period from FY 2003 – FY 2014.

Total Costs for Ice and Snow Removal

Each fiscal year, the amount budgeted for the removal of ice and snow follows a formula outlined in Chapter 6, § 103 of the New York City Charter.

The budgeted amount is equal to the average spent for ice and snow removal for the five fiscal years preceding the year being budgeted. The amount includes personal services costs for overtime and for work on Sundays and holidays but excludes regular salaries and wages of
employees.

However, the adopted budget amount is rarely an accurate predictor of the amount spent for actual snow and ice removal. Generally, the budget is modified after the fact to match the actual expenses.

As one would expect, the City’s spending for ice and snow removal varies according to snowfall amounts during the winter season. However, snow removal costs may be incurred even when
there is little or no snowfall. For example, a snow forecast may prompt pre‐salting and the mobilization of DSNY ice and snow removal crews and equipment, but the anticipated snowfall may not actually materialize.

From FY 2003 – FY 2014, annual snowfall totals averaged 35.9 inches per year, with a high of 61.5 inches in FY 2011 and a low of 6.8 inches in FY 2012.