Oshkosh staff outline last winter's costs, rising salt prices and service trade-offs

City staff told the Oshkosh City Council on Tuesday that last winter's snow-and-ice work included 49 winter-related events and $1,125,807 in total operational costs, and that salt prices have risen sharply in recent years, complicating service decisions.

"The total winter operational cost for us was $1,125,807, to be exact," said the city staff presenter, who led the workshop and introduced Andy Hinz as the public works operations manager. Staff said the city used about 3,900 tons of salt last season; purchased salt accounted for roughly $356,538 of that total and the city's contracted DOT price was cited at roughly $91.42 per ton.

Why it matters: Staff said the city must balance safety, cost and environmental impacts when deciding where and when to deploy plows, salt and brine. Rising per-ton salt costs and more complex storms (mixes of rain, ice and snow) are driving the department to refine operations and consider targeted changes for residential coverage.

Staff described four operational tiers used during winter events: small salting routes focused on mains and roundabouts; seven-person dusting responses; an 18-person operation for 13-inch events; and larger (34-person) operations for heavier storms. Priorities, staff said, remain mains and high-travel corridors first, then secondaries, with residentials and parking lots addressed afterward.

The presenter highlighted investments intended to cut costs and prolong equipment life, including carbon-reinforced plow blades and calibrated salt-spreader systems. "When dialed in properly they do a tremendous job of keeping the salt usage to a minimum," the staff presenter said, describing onboard scales and speed-rated spreaders.

Brine use and capacity: Staff described on-site brine production and use as a key efficiency. The city operates a 10,000-gallon silo, two brine trucks and pre-wets salt to reduce scatter and improve activation. Staff cited a production cost of about $0.11 per gallon and said roughly 12 tons of salt are used to produce about 10,000 gallons of brine.

Council questions and equity concerns: During Q&A, council members pressed staff on route predictability and fairness. One council member asked if the city posts fixed maps so residents can know which neighborhoods will be served and when. Staff said a GIS-based map will be posted on the city's website but emphasized that exact routes change by time of day, staffing, storm type and response priorities.

A council member raised equity concerns about commercial corridors repeatedly getting attention while some residential streets receive less frequent service. Staff acknowledged the concern, said they are reviewing tactics (including more grader use in selected residential areas) and that operational tweaks will be considered for next season.

Data and future steps: Staff said GPS and MUNIS/work-order data are used for debriefs and to check operators' routes and speeds, but the department has not yet completed a full route-optimization study. Staff said leadership will review lessons from the past season during an annual snow-and-ice training day and will explore cost-effective modifications that maintain salt conservation goals.

No formal actions were taken at the workshop. Staff closed by thanking public works crews for their winter response and agreed to return with a separate sanitation briefing.

The city presenter noted the department's intent to post updated route maps and continue cross-divisional training and equipment calibration ahead of the next winter season.