MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Wisconsin largely missed out on a white Christmas, but most counties aren't complaining.
The lack of snow has been good news for county budgets, as highway departments haven't had to spend as much money on plowing and salting costs.
In Marathon County, highway commissioner Jim Griesbach says the county spent about $300,000 less this year than last year. He says county officials now have time and money to do general maintenance and fill cracks.
Some counties don't have month-by-month data, but say their year-long budgets are still groaning from the effects of heavy storms in January and February. They say every day it doesn't snow in December is great news.
State tourism officials aren't as excited. They say tourism businesses that depend on snow are still hoping for more powder.
