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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...f6832906292.txt

City sends state big blizzard bill

By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, February 13, 2011 5:06 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — The city has sent the state a request of more than $180,000 for reimbursement to offset expenses incurred during the Groundhog Day blizzard.

Estimated expenses include equipment, $47,000; supplies, $58,000; overtime and regular wages for city employes related to storm-related activities as well as three private contractors who helped with snow removal, more than $74,000.

Cost estimates were submitted to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, according to a city press release.

If statewide costs meet a Federal Emergency Management Agency-required threshold for damages and public assistance, Indiana could receive a presidential disaster declaration.

The reimbursement would apply to costs incurred from Feb. 2 to Feb. 4 during which time more than a foot of snow fell on the city.

“Should the reimbursement not be approved, an additional appropriation of funds will be required to restore department funding for the balance of the year,” according to Mayor Chuck Oberlie.

After bitter sub-zero temperatures this week, the massive piles of snow that still dot the city are starting to disappear. Today’s temperature could get up to 37 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

On a related note, when the National Weather Service ranked the blizzard snowfall total as the third-worst snowstorm in Chicago history to the fourth-worst, Chicago area meteorologists reportedly protested before settling on a local total of 21.2 inches.