Orrville Council approves emergency participation in ODOT road salt contract

Orrville City Council on April 21 adopted Resolution 13-25 to participate in Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) road salt contracts and declared the measure an emergency so orders can be placed immediately.

The resolution authorizes the city to use the ODOT cooperative contract for road salt purchasing. Safety-Service Director Mr. Wheeler told council the ODOT contract is competitively priced and often requires quick action; he said the city has used the contract for several years. "Last year we paid $51.64 a ton," Wheeler said, and he reported the city used about 1,100 tons this season and estimated about 500 tons remain in inventory.

The emergency designation accelerates the ordinance into effect immediately after signature, bypassing the typical 30-day waiting period. Wheeler said that designation lets the city begin procurement as soon as the contract is issued in mid-May rather than waiting an additional month.

Council voted unanimously to place the resolution on first reading and later to adopt it as read. Members who recorded affirmative votes during the adoption included Lacks, Davies, Carr, Shanklin, Squirrel and Espiras. The resolution was approved and declared an emergency, allowing staff to order under the ODOT contracting process.

The resolution notes the city’s operational preference to maintain a buffer supply in storage bins and anticipates some price increases after a rough winter.

Resolution 13-25 will be executed immediately upon signature; council did not specify additional funding adjustments in the meeting.