Owensville Board awards winter salt contract and approves sale of city utility vehicle

The Owensville Board of Aldermen on May 18 voted to award a winter salt contract to Central Salt, LLC at $109.27 per ton and approved the sale of a 2004 John Deere HPX to Kurtis Barch for $2,850; both motions carried without dissent.

The vote on the salt contract followed a Public Works Director report that Compass Minerals America Inc. submitted a competing bid of $114.73 per ton. "A motion was made by Alderman Matt Kramme and seconded by Alderman Dan Breeden to accept and award the Salt bid to Central Salt, LLC," the minutes record; the motion carried without dissent.

On the Parks & Recreation agenda item, the City received two bids for the 2004 John Deere HPX: Terry Havelka ($2,475.00) and Kurtis Barch ($2,850.00). Alderman Cathy Lahmeyer moved and Alderman Matt Kramme seconded a motion to accept the higher bid from Kurtis Barch; that motion also carried without dissent. The minutes identify the winning bidder and sale price but do not state any conditions or restrictions tied to the sale.

The meeting also approved the Consent Agenda (the May 4, 2026 minutes) by a motion from Alderman Cathy Lahmeyer, seconded by Alderman Denise Bohl; that motion carried without dissent. With no additional business, Alderman Denise Bohl moved to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Cathy Lahmeyer; the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

What this means: The board completed routine procurement and disposition actions without recorded opposition. The mayor and aldermen did not request additional details in the minutes about cost impacts or fund sources for either the salt purchase or the vehicle sale.