Coconino County Snow Plan Frequently Asked Questions

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1 Coconino County Snow Plan Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why is the County Changing Its Snow Plan? The County s new snow removal plan is necessary to address significant declines in funding used to maintain County roads. The primary reason for the significant decline results from a decline in revenues from the gas tax, which has not been increased for more than 20 years. The federal government and individual states impose gas taxes, and counties and cities receive a portion of those revenues to maintain roads. The federal and state gas taxes are flat taxes and do not increase based upon the cost of gas or in relationship to inflation. Because the current road maintenance service level cannot be sustained with these very limited funds, the County is looking at a various strategies to address this serious issue, including more efficient snow removal operations. 2. I Hear that Some County Roads Will No Longer Be Plowed Is This True? No. Under the new snow plan, all roads that are maintained by the County will still be plowed. However, plowable amount and seasonal criteria will be considered some of the new snow removal plan s most important triggers to deploy resources. 3. I m a Taxpayer. Why Will I No Longer Receive the Snow Plowing Services? The funding used to maintain County roads does NOT include property taxes. Road maintenance services are almost entirely funded by gas tax revenues. Property taxes collected by the County fund such services as law enforcement and courts. 4. How Significant Are These Funding Challenges? Current revenue levels are equivalent to those from Even in this challenging economy, consider how difficult it would be to maintain your home, car and other important assets with 1998 revenues. 5. Why Doesn t the County Raise the Gas Tax? The County does not have the authority to raise (or lower) the state or federal gas tax and does not have the authority to impose a local gas tax. 1

2 The State Legislature allocates gas tax revenues to the Arizona Department of Transportation, and Arizona cities and counties using a mandated distribution formula. No extra funding is provided to four-season counties like Coconino for snow removal operations. As noted above, the gas tax is a flat tax that caps the total per-gallon contribution at 18 cents per gallon. Because this is not a percentage-based tax like the sales tax, the cost of a gallon of gas is not a factor. The 18 cents per gallon collected in 2013 with gas prices currently at about $3.30 per gallon is the same amount as when gas was about $1.02 per gallon in What is the Goal of this New Snow Plan? Our goal for the new Snow Plan is two-fold: reduce the current $2 million annual snow removal operating budget by approximately $500,000 (25 percent) by employing a more strategic approach to deploying snow removal resources. 7. How Will the County Accomplish this Goal? In years past, the County s philosophy towards snow removal was Catch a Flake; that is, to deploy all resources whenever snowfall was reported to be imminent. The County will now take a more strategic approach towards snow removal operations that focuses on making resources available at the right place and at the right time during a given snow event, and which reflects the funding available to support these operations. 8. Right Place Right Time What Stays the Same? The Right Place Right Time approach to snow removal will more strategically utilize many of the same protocols that the County currently uses. For example, crews will still utilize resources like National Weather Service (NWS) information, satellite and radar imagery and on-site Snow Patrol observations. The prioritization of roadway clearance will remain the same with first focus being given to arterial roads, major/minor collectors and local roads in that order. All roads that are maintained by the County will still be plowed. 9. Right Place Right Time What Changes? Some of the major changes with the County s new snow plan are based on a strategically reactive approach to snow removal. These changes include the following: Plowable Amount: Utilizing on-site field observations and other data, crews will now utilize actual snow accumulations in order to determine the respective plowable amounts of snow that will trigger deployment of snow removal resources to arterials, collectors and local roads. This will allow our crews to conduct snow removal operations when and where it is needed most. 2

3 Seasonal Factors: Moving forward, crews also will consider a variety of seasonal factors before deploying resources. These include the time of day a given storm starts; its snow moisture content, intensity and duration. The time of year also is a critical factor as removal operations during a February storm differ greatly from those that are required during the warmer, longer days of spring. Hours of Snow Removal: Instead of deploying resources on a 24/7 basis, standard snow removal operations will not be in effect between 10pm and 2am. Plowing Frequency- Local Roads: Local roads will be plowed six to 12 hours later than when crews were plowing 24/7. This work will be based on plowable amounts of snow and on seasonal factors. Plowing Frequency Priority Roads: Plowing of major collector and arterial roads will be based on plowable amounts of snow and on seasonal factors; however, these roads will still be prioritized. Cul-de-Sacs: Cul-de-sacs will be plowed only once per storm. Clean-Up Operations: Clean-up operations to push back existing snow in order to make room for future snowfall will be conducted after a snow storm is concluded as opposed to after each snow event. A snow event is measured as +/- 1 inch of snow during a 24- hour period. A snow storm can last more than one day and, as such, can be comprised of several snow events. Conducting clean-up operations at the end of a snow storm will then probably create additional snow berms in some areas. 10. So Right Place Right Time is More Reactive than Proactive? Although more reactive than Catch a Flake, the Right Place Right Time philosophy is really both proactive and reactive. For example, preparation of County resources for snow removal operations, including equipment readiness and cinder production, remains decidedly proactive. As discussed above, however, deployment of snow removal resources will be strategically reactive so as to determine when and where to most efficiently task our limited resources during a snow storm. This strategically reactive philosophy is neither new nor unique. Firefighters, for example, have long been charged with being ready to respond to fire events whenever and wherever they may occur in a given community. Rather than routinely patrol neighborhoods in anticipation of fires, however, their deployment is strategically reactive and based on a variety of factors such as event size and location. 11. Will the New Snow Plan be Implemented on All County Roads? Yes. The County s new snow plan will be implemented on all 718 miles of dirt and paved roads that the County currently plows. 12. Are There Any Other Changes to the County s Snow Plan? 3

4 Yes. Two other changes include the following: Discontinuation of Chemical De-Icers (Road Salts): The County has discontinued a pilot program started several years ago that deployed road salts along 13 miles of County roads. These roads included only portions of Townsend-Winona Road; short sections of Silver Saddle Road on the hill near Cromer School and Cosnino Road near the railroad crossing. The decision to discontinue this very limited program was based on the detrimental effects of road salts on ponderosa pine trees Lake Mary Road/FH3 Winter Closure Near Scenic Overlook: The County is evaluating closing a seven-mile stretch of Lake Mary Road between the north and south entrances to Mormon Lake Road and re-routing traffic using Mormon Lake Road (road to the west of Mormon Lake). This closure would be in effect from approximately early December through the end of March depending upon seasonal factors. This closure is being considered because of the intensive plowing regimen that is necessary to keep it clear of snow during the winter months. 13. Is the County Leaving Rural Communities to Fend for Themselves During the Winter Months? No. Coconino County has and will continue to strive to keep its roads open and passable during the winter months. Even in years past, we have always conveyed that service levels in rural areas are different from those offered in more metropolitan areas. Because snow storms can be inherently challenging irrespective of any level of snow accumulation, we also have always encouraged part- and full-time residents to prepare accordingly for prolonged and/or significant snow storms that might impact one s ability to travel. These preparations include: Home 1. Three days of non-perishable food 2. Three days supply of water (one gallon per day per family member) 3. First aid kit and extra supply of medication 4. Personal hygiene supplies 5. Extra clothing, footwear, gloves 6. Blankets and sleeping bags 7. Extra food for pets and livestock 8. Candles, flashlight, battery operated radio and extra batteries 9. Alternate heat source (kerosene, wood, etc.) 10. Full propane tank (if applicable) 11. Cash, credit cards & extra car keys 12. Snow shovels 13. Snow breaker for driveway windrows 14. Private snow removal company contact information 4

5 15. Emergency plan for the entire family Vehicle 1. Winterize your vehicle (antifreeze, wipers, battery, snow tires) 2. Carry an emergency kit consisting of tire chains or cables, tow strap, jumper cables, flashlight, water, first aid kit, ice scraper, extra clothing, and appropriate tools 3. Keep the gas tank at least half full 4. When traveling, let someone know your intended route and expected time of arrival 5. Pack some blankets and food 6. Allow extra time for travel including longer commute times 14. Any Other Tips? 1. Drive for Conditions. If a snow storm is imminent or underway, drive only if necessary. Also, keep in mind that factors such as wind and visibility should be considered as much as any snow accumulation on a given road. 2. Respect the County right-of-way boundary by not landscaping, building in it or putting your mailbox in it. 3. Follow the No Parking Ordinance (86-6) and do not park along County roads from November 1 April 1. Also, roll your trash bins in as soon as possible after collection. 4. Know what kind of road you live on: City road, County road, private road, public road, arterial road, collector road, main residential road, cul-de-sac, residential side street. 5. Know what is too much for you. If a big storm is coming and you have a job that requires you to be there no matter what, then make arrangements to have your driveway and berm plowed by a private contractor. 6. If you are able, help out those neighbors that are elderly or disabled by shoveling their driveway and berm 15. Will the County Ever Return to the Old Snow Removal Plan? This new snow plan is a work in progress that will be refined over time. However, the current revenue situation is not expected to improve and thus road maintenance service reductions and changes in operations will likely remain necessary. For more information, please contact the Coconino Public Works Department at (928) or visit 5