Calgary is undergoing a value for money audit of its snow and ice clearing budget.

Over the past couple of months, a groundswell of public complaints has shown there are problems with the city's snow clearing program, said Brian Pincott, city alderman who proposed the audit Monday.

Calgary has gone over its snow removal budget, currently $23-million, 14 out of the past 17 years.

There has been motion after motion at recent council meetings on how to fix things: from bringing back snow fences to boosting the budget, said Pincott.

Pincott said it's time for the city to evaluate whether the city is spending enough to keep its roads in good driving condition.

"You find out if you're [working] as effectively and efficiently as possible, and then it gives you a place to move forward from without the clutter of all the band aids we've been throwing at this over the past year," said Pincott.

Value for money audits are independent evaluations used to determine the effectiveness of a program or an organization's utilization of funds.

One member of council voted against the idea.

Ald. Ric McIver said there's no need for another study, arguing that the city already knows it needs to do more to keep most roads passable, so it should just get on with it.

"We already know it doesn't work," said McIver. "If the audit says we're getting great value, it still doesn't work. If it says we're getting lousy value, it still doesn't work."

The audit is scheduled to be completed in time for budget finalization in December.