The lack of snowfall this winter hasn’t just been good for warm weather enthusiasts — it’s been good for the city of Austin’s plowing budget.

According to City Engineer Jon Erichson, the city has spent close to nothing on plowing this winter. However, the city hasn’t necessarily saved money. Because of increased plowing costs in January and February of 2011, the lack of snow in November and December has leveled out the budget.

“(The budget) was coming out much better in December due to weather,” Erichson said. “Based on what we’ve seen now, we basically have all our material left.”

The city purchased salt and sand in October out of the 2011 budget and has barely used any of it. Erichson said the savings will come in the fall of 2012 if there is enough sand and salt left so new loads don’t need to be purchased.

In the meantime, the city is saving costs in many areas, including fuel, salt and sand, equipment repair, labor and overtime.

“We have significant savings in our fuel costs,” Erichson said. “There’s so many things that go into it.”