Running a city is expensive, but never forget that YOUR TAX DOLLARS are what pay the bills around here. It's never a bad idea to keep tabs on where your money is going.

Every so often we'll check a random week's worth of City of Bozeman accounts payable. It's fascinating to see what goods and services cost. The City of Bozeman shops locally often, which is great.

But think bigger picture: ever wonder how much snow removal costs around here? BTW - this town would lose it's mind if the COB didn't have parking lots and city owned offices plowed on time. (As I type, I see at least $20k in snow plowing bills...)

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So let's take a look at what City of Bozeman bills got paid. The following items are taken directly from the Expenditure Approval List with check date of 3/3/2022 to 3/9/2022.

NOTE: it's important to keep in mind that the following list is a random snapshot of bills that were paid. I did not list vendors, and I obviously didn't reference context...some bills are weekly, some are monthly, some are one-time, etc...

  • SNOW REMOVAL FEBRUARY LIBRARY: $3,855.00
  • SNOW REMOVAL JANUARY VARIOUS LOCATIONS: $5,040.00
  • SNOW REMOVAL SURFACE LOT MONTH OF JANUARY 2022: $11,450.00
  • (VARIOUS BOOKS FOR THE LIBRARY): $6,902.23
  • 2022 GARAGE PARKING PERMITS - (4)PARKING VEHICLES: $3,679.00
  • QUARTERLY GARAGE MAINT/CLEANING PER CONTRACT: $4,375.00
  • (7) VEHICLE BATTERIES: $854.65
  • JANITORIAL-VEH MAINT BLD FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $753.84
  • JANITORIAL-LAUREL GLEN X3 FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $98.33
  • JANITORIAL-LAUREL GLEN X3 FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $98.33
  • JANITORIAL-SHOPS COMPLEX FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $2,850.00
  • JANITORIAL-LAUREL GLEN X3 FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $98.34
  • JANITORIAL-ANNEX BFD#1 FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $585.00
  • JANITORIAL-VEH MAINT BLD FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $612.50
  • JANITORIAL-LIBRARY FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $14,500.00
  • JANITORIAL-CITY HALL FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $3,000.00
  • JANITORIAL-AL STIFF BLDNG FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY: $3,000.00
  • (286) CAR WASHES @ $3.50 EACH: $1,000.00 (You can't really be mad at this one, btw. Think of how many vehicles in total are owned by a city our size. Plus, that price per vehicle is outstanding.)
  • SAND/SALT PLUS DELIVERY: $21,612.61
  • 30 DVDs - LIBRARY: $599.69
  • SOLID WASTE DEPT CLAIMS, PIZZA HUT-POWER POLE HIT: $7,595.36 (So, yeah. This happens. A garbage truck clipped or slid into a power pole. Accidents are expensive.)
photo: Michelle Wolfe
photo: Michelle Wolfe
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