Alexandria spent $9.7 million on the Jan. 25 snow storm response, the bulk of which was attributed to outside contractors brought in due to the challenges of clearing “snowcrete.”
The winter storm brought about 8 inches of snow followed by hours of sleet and freezing rain that created a solid layer of ice on top. According to an after-action report presented to City Council Tuesday, contract services cost the city $8.4 million. City labor cost about $600,000, while materials, supplies, food and lodging for employees cost $700,000.
“This was a costly response, and primarily the largest cost by far were contractors that we needed to use, that heavy construction equipment that we needed,” Deputy City Manager Emily Baker told City Council. “But at the same time, we had our staff working overtime. We housed and fed them to make sure that they were here and available when we needed them when the storm was over.”…