A mild early winter has been good for Baker City's finances.

The Baker City Herald reports that the city's bill for spreading sand and salt through Dec. 31 amounted to just over $5,000. Last winter, the city had already spent nearly $100,000 by Dec. 31.

The snowiest winter in more than a quarter century led the City Council to twice transfer money from other parts of the budget to keep the plows going. By the end of winter, the final tab was $312,000 — more than three times what the council had budgeted.

This winter has seen temperatures well above average and only a couple of minor snowfalls.