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Salt debate: committee questions $600K request, withdraws postponement and advances funding after members seek clarity
Summary
Members pressed county staff about salt inventory, per‑ton price trends and delivery risks before briefly moving to postpone a $600,000 contingency request; the postponement motion was withdrawn after commitments to gather data and proceed before the next session.
Ulster County lawmakers on July 14 extensively debated a request to amend the 2026 budget to add funds for highway salt purchases, reflecting operational concerns about deliveries, contract timing and potential price increases.
Legislators reviewed stock levels, with staff reporting about 4,000 tons on hand as of May 31 and an estimate that roughly 9,000 tons would represent a three‑quarters fill of county barns. The county’s current contract price was discussed (about $78/ton in 2025–26), and staff cautioned that the current contract expires at the end of August, after which prices could rise.
Legislator Donovan and others urged caution and proposed postponing the vote to gain clearer figures; they later withdrew the postponement after members agreed to gather additional details before the full legislative session. Deputy staff emphasized delivery reliability is as important as price, reminding the committee that the prior winter saw delivery uncertainty.
Committee members also debated whether $600,000 was necessary versus a lower estimate near $382,000 based on a $78/ton price and the tonnage needed to reach three‑quarters capacity. After exchanges about usage patterns and potential December expenditures, members agreed to seek clarification from DPW and attempt to resolve open questions before the full legislative session on Aug. 18.
Next steps: DPW and budget staff will refine tonnage, cost and contract timing details and report back in the days before the next full session; members signaled willingness to approve a clarified funding request once details are confirmed.
