Winter weather seems to have returned to Southeast Iowa, but it’s been a mild season so far. The Washington County Engineer Jacob Thorius says that they can be very busy plowing snow, but during the times they don’t have a lot of snow, the county employees are still working.  Thorius says there is plenty to do.  For instance, brush clearing is something that needs to be done, but is not normally done in the summer when they are focused on the direct maintenance of the county roads.  He says that some money might be saved during those times, but only though less overtime.

Thorius says that even though a lot less salt might be used in a slower year, it does not necessarily mean the county saves a lot of money.  Late spring and early summertime is when the county purchases salt to restock their supply.