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Council approves salt purchases, alternative contracts and EPA brine grant for winter operations
Summary
Council authorized a contract with Cargill for approximately 5,500 tons of rock salt at $73.15 per ton, approved alternate contracts up to $250,000 and accepted an Ohio EPA H2Ohio grant for brine equipment to reduce chloride runoff.
Mason City Council on July 14 authorized a suite of measures to support the city’s snow-and-ice operations: a contract with Cargill Inc. to purchase roughly 5,500 tons of highway rock salt at $73.15 per ton; authorization for alternative salt contracts in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000; and acceptance of an Ohio EPA H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Program grant totaling $63,092 to purchase brine equipment.
City staff said the city participated in cooperative purchasing programs (Warren County Engineers and SWAP/COG) that produced Cargill as the lowest bidder. The salt purchase ordinance authorizes buying rock salt through those cooperative agreements. Staff clarified the $73.15 figure is per ton; the city typically uses about 5,500 tons per season and the salt barn currently holds salt purchased at lower 2024 prices.
Brine grant and equipment: Staff described the H2Ohio grant as covering most of the cost for new brine blending and dispensing equipment, liquid storage tanks and a trailer-mounted brine applicator. The new tanks will be stored indoors at the service center to extend useful life; the grant reduces the city’s capital outlay for the equipment. The 2025 budget included $95,000 for brine equipment; under the grant, the city’s portion was reported as $61,213.
Why it matters: The combination of bulk salt purchases and improved liquid brine equipment is intended to ensure material supply during winter operations, control costs and reduce chloride discharge to groundwater. Staff also said they are evaluating an additional salt barn to take advantage of favorable prices and to potentially supply neighboring communities.
Outcome: Council suspended the rules and adopted the ordinances allowing the Cargill contract, alternative purchasing authorization and the brine-equipment purchase; votes were recorded by roll call and measures passed unanimously by those present.
