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Mayor reports ample salt supply but snow/ice spending leaves repayment decision pending
Summary
Gardner City has about 1,500 tons remaining in its salt shed and used the asset to respond to recent storms; the mayor said free cash policy (15% reserve target) would cover repayment of the salt shed but ongoing heavy snow/ice expenditures make timing uncertain, leaving the item with the committee.
The Finance Committee heard an update on Item 11752 concerning repayment for the city’s salt shed and the status of snow and ice expenditures. The mayor said the city has approximately 1,500 tons of salt on hand — a helpful buffer during recent storms — and estimated one salting pass uses roughly 100 tons at an approximate material cost of $8,000 (about $10,000 including labor).
Finance staff reported the city certified about $2.5 million in free cash this year and that the administrative policy sets a 15% free‑cash reserve target; the city previously deposited 5% ($100,975) and a remaining calculation shows about $118,741 would be the gap between current balances and the full 15% target after reconciling projected snow/ice deficits. The mayor said the city normally reconciles snow and ice accounts in April and is monitoring final expenditures before making additional free‑cash allocations; he cautioned that extreme winter events make the timing a moving target.
Committee discussion clarified the numbers and asked when the salt‑shed project will be fully closed out (remaining work: lights installation prevents vehicle storage until completed). The item will remain with the committee while officials reconcile year‑end snow/ice numbers.
