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Committee debates highway salt funding; members weigh delivery risk, cost and timing before approving request
Summary
A proposal to add contingency funds for highway road salt prompted questions about how much salt is needed, contract timing and whether to reallocate existing line items; a postponement motion was withdrawn and the measure moved forward after committee discussion.
Committee members pressed the Department of Public Works and budget staff on a request to amend the 2026 budget to allocate additional funds for highway salt.
Legislator Donovan presented an analysis showing the county currently holds about 4,000 tons and that filling salt barns to three‑quarters capacity (approximately 9,000 tons total) would cost about $382,000 at the current contracted price (including fuel surcharges). DPW staff and budget staff warned that the county’s current supplier contract expires at the end of August, and price and delivery uncertainty after that date could raise costs; they also noted that December plowing can consume large sums quickly.
Some legislators urged postponing the funding decision for a month to allow further review; DPW staff cautioned that postponing could compress ordering and delivery windows and potentially increase costs. After a motion to postpone was withdrawn to allow inter‑session work, the committee proceeded. Members discussed whether funds could be moved from other line items; budget staff explained some accounts are constrained (permanent improvement/CHIPS funding and seasonal contracts). The committee approved the funding request after discussion; at least one legislator recorded a no vote.
Next steps: DPW and budget staff will confirm exact tonnage, contract timing, and cost estimates before the full legislative session and return with refined numbers if needed.
