Morton County road officials are feeling the financial pinch for its winter cleanup, but said no state emergency funds are coming to help.

Despite winter cleanup costs exceeding 12 times its five-year average, state records show the county failed to qualify because it did not meet the 400 percent snowfall standard set by a state formula.

Portions of Morton County received 300 percent of normal snowfall, but that fell short of aid requirements.

County Highway Director Chuck Morman said the deficit of operation funds will cut into some needed road work and summer construction projects. Increases in the road mill levy may be needed.

Morman estimates between early November and mid-March, the county spent $1.26 million on snow cleanup. Factored into the higher costs are overtime, constant cleanup of several snow events, unforeseen fuel costs and contracting private companies to help in the snow collection.

A normal winter cleanup averages $100,000 for the season.

Cecily Fong, public information officer for the State Disaster Emergency Services, confirmed Thursday that Morton County failed to meet the 400 percent requirement. She said state emergency officials generated a map of the snowfall for the state based upon data collected by the National Weather Service.

Fong said no checks have been cut for any other entities. Officials are reviewing invoices, bills and paperwork before they decide how the $1.5 million of state emergency money will be given out to government bodies that qualify.

She said Gov. John Hoeven requested emergency snow removal assistance from President Barack Obama.

"That request included counties at the 300 percent threshold, so if the governor's request ultimately is approved, Morton County still may benefit," she said. Fong said Hoeven's initial request was denied, but that is being appealed.

Morman said the western part of the county has been hit heavily, and cleanup has been almost constant since Nov. 7.

"We've been plowing steady since then. We have 22 plows we can run throughout the whole county. That's not enough, and there's not enough time to do it. … We hired a private snowplower, plus some private dozers," Morman said.

He said their repeated requests for aid from with governor's office and the state emergency officials have been refused. "What we cannot understand is why we are such an island," Morman said. "All around us, they're getting (help). "

Morman now faces the dual problem of continuing winter cleanup while clearing of roads and culverts for spring. As of Monday, crews were continuing snow cleanup just northwest of Mandan and west to the Hebron-Glen Ullin area. Snow measured up to 10 feet high there.

To compound problems, county road officials are working to prevent flooding with the melt.

"That's how crazy it is now. … In the south part of the county, we have snowblowers blowing snow, our crews blowing snow, and in the western part of the county, they got water steamers out to clear out the culverts." They hope for a slow melt this spring to spare the road beds.

Morman said it appears Morton County will foot the entire bill alone.

He added that 35 miles of less-traveled rural roadways closed winter will have to be repaired to prevent the melt from destroying them. They may need extra work.

Morman said the ongoing snow events will have big impacts on the county budget, and said there are 10 months to go. The county may need to forgo several small road projects this summer, strike building a salt storage building required by the EPA, and increase road mill levies.

County commissioner Richard Tokach agreed several projects will have to be cut.

Commissioner Jim Boehm said a mill levy increase will have to pay the bills. "The people aren't going to like that, but what do you do? They demand the service."

As another cost cutter, Morman expects the county will only cut half the gravel needed for roads this summer. Gravel will be applied to 35 miles to 40 miles of road, when between 82 miles and 100 miles work are needed.

The Morton County Commission did declare a snow emergency in January.

"Somehow, we've got to get someone to listen to us," Morman said. "They keep saying we do not magically qualify because of the snow event. Therefore, the dollar amounts we spent don't mean a thing."

"We would hope for a little help from the state at least," Tokach said.

"If Governor Hoeven's request for federal snow removal assistance is ultimately approved, Morton County will likely receive assistance with snow removal expenses," Fong said.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@bismarcktribune.com.)

Qualifying for emergency funding

Entities listed that qualify for some state emergency funding are:

Adams, Barnes, Bowman, Burke, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Divide, Dunn, Emmons, Grant, Hettinger, Kidder, La Moure, McHenry, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Mountrail, Pierce, Oliver, Ransom, Renville, Richland, Sargent, Sheridan, Sioux, Stark, Stutsman, Ward, Wells, Williams counties and the Three Affiliated Tribes.

The State Disaster Emergency Services Web site states more counties, cities and Indian reservations will be added as they meet prerequisites.

How much each will receive is still being determined.