View Comments The frigid weather that engulfed much of North America in February is now taking a toll on Iowa City schools' budget. "The severe cold spell that hit the Southern United States caused a real crunch on the natural gas supply, and the subsequent cost of the product," Les Finger, budget and finance director for the district, told the school board Tuesday. "The district felt that as well and incurred approximately $170,000 to $175,0000 of increased expenses for one month of natural gas costs." The district budgets yearly utility costs for natural gas, electricity and water based on five-year averages, square footage and utility rate changes. The prediction was that Iowa City schools would spend $45,682 monthly — but the actual cost incurred was $219,306, or about $173,624 more than expected.