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Public works reports smooth 2025-26 snow season; new tools cut public tickets
Summary
Public works staff reported five winter events, nine inches of total snow, 172 staff deployed and no recordable injuries; new dispatch/communication software and a public map reduced customer tickets by about 90% during a major event.
Public works staff delivered a debrief of the 2025-26 snow season, saying the department handled five events (three full-scale, two emergency-only) and recorded nine inches of snow for the season. "We managed a total of 5 events," staff said, and credited a new operations tool, Plowox, and an updated public map for improving communications and operations.
Staff reported operational metrics including 172 active participants, a fleet of 52 snow vehicles, and 29,038 total labor hours logged. From a safety standpoint, staff said there were 12 recorded accidents, all resulting in minor damage, and "no recordable injuries this season." The presentation also noted pilot equipment and materials innovations (carbide blades on tandem-axle trucks and limited use of salt brine) and said staff will continue small pilots to refine techniques.
Committee members thanked the snow crew and asked follow-up questions about interdepartmental roles and performance. Staff acknowledged a learning curve with the new software but emphasized the 90% reduction in OVCare tickets (from about 1,200 during a prior significant event to 106 this season) as evidence that public-facing mapping and messaging improved outcomes.
