Mercer County Reports More Than $524,000 in Snow and Ice Costs for 2025 to 2026 Winter

CELINA — Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart says the county spent more than 524 thousand dollars on snow and ice control during the 2025 to 2026 winter season.

According to winter season statistics released by the engineer’s office, Mercer County crews were responsible for 385 point 7 miles of roadway. Thirteen snow plows covered routes averaging 29 to 30 miles one way. The county recorded 52 days of snow and ice control during the season.

The report shows county plows drove a total of 78,766 miles over the course of the winter.

Mercer County used 1,527 tons of salt at a cost of 115,125 dollars and 21 cents. The county also used 1,527 tons of grit at a cost of 17,331 dollars and 51 cents. Combined material costs for the season totaled 132,456 dollars and 72 cents.

The report also shows crews logged 2,080 and a half regular labor hours on snow and ice operations, along with 1,767 overtime hours.

Total seasonal costs for equipment, labor, and materials reached 524,029 dollars and 79 cents.

That put the average cost of snow and ice control in Mercer County at 1,358 dollars and 65 cents per mile of roadway for the 2025 to 2026 season. That is up from 607 dollars and 58 cents per mile during the 2024 to 2025 winter season.